England’s women’s rugby league head coach, Stuart Barrow, has unveiled his 23‑player roster for the upcoming 2026 Rugby League World Cup. The selection reflects a blend of seasoned internationals and fresh talent, highlighting the depth of the English game and its growing connections with the Australian NRLW competition.
Among the newcomers are four uncapped players who have earned their first call‑up. Most notable is 23‑year‑old Jasmin Strange, a second‑row forward who starred 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 squad in Perth after the Roosters’ match against the Brisbane Broncos on 4 October.
The other three debutants are Leeds Rhinos forward Connie Boyd, Canterbury Bulldogs prop Hope Millard, and Wigan Warriors centre Lucie Sams. Each has impressed at club level and now has the chance to make her international debut on the sport’s biggest stage.
The squad also includes all three nominees for this season’s Woman of Steel award, together with six of their teammates from the Wigan Warriors. Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams will learn the outcome of the award on 29 September before heading to Australia the following Thursday for the World Cup.
Returning to the World Cup fold after a two‑year absence is Fran Goldthorp, who featured in the 2022 tournament, making four appearances and crossing for three tries. She joins two other England‑qualified NRLW players: Newcastle Knights winger Georgia Roche and Canberra Raiders centre Hollie‑Mae Dodd. Their inclusion marks a historic moment, as it is the first time that England has selected heritage players who are based in Australia’s premier women’s competition. York Valkyrie, the newly crowned Betfred Women’s Super League champions, are represented by forward Liv Wood, while the league’s leading try‑scorer, Amelia Brown of the Huddersfield Giants, also earns a place in the squad.
St Helens loose‑forward Jodie Cunningham, a veteran heading into her fourth World Cup, is joined by teammate Vicky Whitfield, adding experience and leadership to the group. Leeds Rhinos have a strong presence with five players named, including Young Player of the Year nominees Connie Boyd and Ruby Bruce, both of whom have been rewarded for their outstanding performances this season.
Coach Barrow spoke about the difficulty of the selection process, saying, "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." He continued, "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. 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." Barrow added that the focus now shifts to preparation, acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead in the World Cup. "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," he said.
The list of selected athletes is extensive and showcases the breadth of talent across clubs: 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 tournament’s opening match will be preceded by the Super League Grand Final, which takes place at Old Trafford on Saturday 3 October. The final will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+, kicking off at 6 p.m.
with pre‑game coverage beginning at 5 p.m. This high‑profile fixture will set the tone for a week of elite women’s rugby league, culminating in England’s quest for World Cup glory.