England’s women’s rugby league head coach Stuart Barrow has revealed his 23‑player roster for the upcoming 2026 Rugby League World Cup, marking a significant milestone for the national side as it prepares to compete on the global stage. The squad blends seasoned internationals with fresh talent, including several players who are making their first appearance for England. Among the newcomers are four uncapped athletes who have impressed throughout the domestic season. Leading the pack is 23‑year‑old Jasmin Strange, a second‑row forward who earned a spot in the NRLW Grand Final with the Sydney Roosters.
Although born in Australia, Strange qualifies for England through her mother, who was born in the country. She will join the England camp in Perth after the Roosters’ match against the Brisbane Broncos on 4 October. The other debutants are Leeds Rhinos forward Connie Boyd, Canterbury Bulldogs winger Hope Millard, and Wigan Warriors prop Lucie Sams. All three have shown consistent performances in their respective leagues, earning the confidence of the coaching staff and securing their places in the World Cup lineup.
Three of the squad’s members were shortlisted for this year’s prestigious Woman of Steel award, and all have been selected for the World Cup squad. They join six of their teammates from the Wigan Warriors, underscoring the club’s strong representation in the national team. Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams will learn the award’s outcome on 29 September, after which they will depart for Australia the following Thursday to begin their World Cup preparations.
Former World Cup star Fran Goldthorp returns to the England fold for the first time since the 2022 tournament, where she featured in four matches and crossed the try‑line three times. She is accompanied by two other England‑eligible players who ply their trade in the NRLW: Georgia Roche of the Newcastle Knights and Hollie‑Mae Dodd, who currently plays for the Canberra Raiders. York Valkyrie, the newly crowned Betfred Women’s Super League champions, have their champion forward Liv Wood represented in the squad. Huddersfield Giants’ prolific try‑scorer Amelia Brown, who leads the league in points, also earns a place, highlighting the blend of attacking firepower and defensive solidity within the group.
St Helens’ veteran loose forward Jodie Cunningham, a stalwart of the national side, is joined by fellow Saints player Vicky Whitfield. Cunningham, now 34, is set to make her fourth World Cup appearance, bringing invaluable experience and leadership to the younger members of the squad. Leeds Rhinos contribute five players to the roster, reflecting the club’s strong performance this season. Among them are Young Player of the Year nominees Connie Boyd and Ruby Bruce, both of whom have been rewarded with World Cup selection for their outstanding contributions on the field.
Coach Barrow commented on the difficulty of the selection process, noting the high standard across the wider pool of players. “The standard across the wider group has been outstanding throughout the season, which made the selection process incredibly challenging,” he said.
He explained that a clear timeline and set of criteria were established at the start of the year, outlining the performance milestones and opportunities required for selection. Throughout the campaign, England camps were held, the team traveled to France for training, and Barrow attended all the Super Four games to assess potential candidates. Reducing the initial list of 40 hopefuls to a final 23 required tough decisions, but Barrow believes the balance of seasoned veterans and emerging talent is ideal for competing at the highest level.
“Narrowing our squad from 40 players to a final 23 has involved some difficult decisions, but we believe we have the right balance of experience and youth to compete on the world stage,” he explained. Barrow also highlighted the historic inclusion of heritage players based in Australia, marking the first time such athletes have been selected for England. “It’s also an exciting moment for the programme with the inclusion of Australian‑based heritage players for the first time. Bringing together talent from both the NRLW and the Women’s Super League gives us a unique blend of quality and experience, and we’re excited to see these players come together in an England shirt,” he added.
Looking ahead, Barrow emphasized that preparation now takes precedence. “Now our focus turns to preparation.
We know the challenges that await at a World Cup, but we are travelling with a squad that believes in itself, embraces the responsibility of representing England, and is determined to make the nation proud.” The squad list includes: Keara Bennett (Leeds Rhinos), Connie Boyd (Leeds Rhinos), Amelia Brown (Huddersfield Giants), Ruby Bruce (Leeds Rhinos), Mary Coleman (Wigan Warriors), Evie Cousins (Leeds Rhinos), Jodie Cunningham (St Helens), Anna Davies (Wigan Warriors), Hollie‑Mae Dodd (Canberra Raiders), Jenna Foubister (Wigan Warriors), Fran Goldthorp (North Queensland), Eva Hunter (Wigan Warriors), Molly Jones (Wigan Warriors), Hope Millard (Canterbury Bulldogs), Lucy Murray (Leeds Rhinos), Georgia Roche (Newcastle Knights), Isabel Rowe (Wigan Warriors), Lucie Sams (Wigan Warriors), Jasmin Strange (Sydney Roosters), Vicky Whitfield (St Helens), Megan Williams (Wigan Warriors), Georgia Wilson (Wigan Warriors), Liv Wood (York Valkyrie). The Super League Grand Final, a key event in the lead‑up to the World Cup, will be staged at Old Trafford on Saturday 3 October, with live coverage on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+.
Kick‑off is scheduled for 6 pm, with pre‑match analysis beginning at 5 pm, providing fans a final showcase of domestic talent before the national team departs for the tournament.