England Women’s head coach Stuart Barrow has unveiled a 23‑player roster to represent the nation at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup. The selection combines seasoned internationals with a handful of newcomers, reflecting a blend of experience and fresh talent that Barrow believes will give England a competitive edge on the world stage. Among the debutants are four players who have yet to earn an England cap. Most notable is 23‑year‑old Jasmin Strange, a second‑row forward who starred in the NRLW Grand Final for the Sydney Roosters.
Although born in Australia, Strange qualifies for England through her mother, who was born in the country. She will join the squad in Perth after the Roosters’ match against the Brisbane Broncos on 4 October. The other uncapped athletes are Leeds Rhinos forward Connie Boyd, Canterbury Bulldogs winger Hope Millard, and Wigan Warriors prop Lucie Sams. Their inclusion signals Barrow’s willingness to broaden the talent pool and reward strong performances in both the Super League and overseas competitions.
All three nominees for this year’s Woman of Steel Award have been selected, underscoring the quality of the group. Alongside them, six of their Wigan Warriors teammates – Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams among them – will learn the outcome of the award on 29 September before heading to Australia the following Thursday.
The recognition of these players highlights the depth of skill present in the Wigan camp and the importance of individual excellence to the collective mission. Fran Goldthorp returns to the England set‑up for the first time since the 2022 World Cup, where she featured in four games and crossed the try line three times. Her recall is complemented by two other NRLW‑based English‑eligible players: Georgia Roche of the Newcastle Knights and Hollie‑Mae Dodd from the Canberra Raiders.
Their participation marks the first time that heritage players based in Australia have been included in an England women’s squad, a milestone that Barrow described as an "exciting moment for the programme". The newly crowned Betfred Women’s Super League champions, York Valkyrie, are represented by forward Liv Wood, while the league’s top try‑scorer, Amelia Brown of the Huddersfield Giants, also makes the cut.
St Helens’ veteran loose forward Jodie Cunningham, who will be making her fourth World Cup appearance, is joined by teammate Vicky Whitfield, adding further experience to the forward pack. Leeds Rhinos contribute five players to the roster, including Young Player of the Year nominees Connie Boyd and Ruby Bruce. Their selection reflects the club’s strong season and the impact of its emerging talent on the national stage.
Barrow commented on the difficulty of the selection process, noting, "The standard across the wider group has been outstanding throughout the season, which made the selection process incredibly challenging. At the start of the year, we set out a clear selection timeline with the players, outlining the standards, milestones and opportunities that would contribute to today's selection. Throughout the season, we've had a number of England camps, we have travelled to France, and I've been present at all the Super Four games to assess the players in contention for selection. 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 also highlighted the significance of incorporating Australian‑based heritage players for the first time, saying, "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." Looking ahead, Barrow emphasized the squad’s preparation focus: "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), and Liv Wood (York Valkyrie).
The Super League Grand Final, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+, is scheduled for Saturday 3 October at Old Trafford, with kickoff at 6 pm and pre‑match coverage beginning at 5 pm. This high‑profile domestic fixture serves as a final showcase for many of the players before they embark on their World Cup campaign, offering fans a glimpse of the talent and intensity that will define England’s quest for glory in the upcoming tournament.