England Women's Rugby League World Cup Squad Announced

England’s women’s national rugby league team has officially unveiled its 23‑player roster for the upcoming 2026 Rugby League World Cup, as confirmed by head coach Stuart Barrow. The selection reflects a blend of seasoned internationals and fresh talent, with several newcomers earning their first call‑up to the senior side. Among the debutants are four players who have yet to earn an England cap. Notably, the squad includes 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 travel to Perth to join the training camp after the Roosters’ match against the Brisbane Broncos on 4 October. The other uncapped athletes 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 a debut on the world stage.

All three nominees for this year’s Woman of Steel award have secured places in the World Cup squad, alongside six of their Wigan Warriors teammates. Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams will learn the outcome of the award on 29 September, before departing for Australia the following Thursday to join the national side.

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 for three tries. She joins two other NRLW‑based England players – Georgia Roche of the Newcastle Knights and Hollie‑Mae Dodd of the Canberra Raiders – underscoring the growing influence of overseas‑based talent. York Valkyrie, the newly crowned Betfred Women’s Super League champions, are represented by veteran forward Liv Wood. The league’s leading try‑scorer, Amelia Brown of the Huddersfield Giants, also earns a spot, adding firepower to the backline.

St Helens loose forward Jodie Cunningham, a veteran of four World Cups, is paired with teammate Vicky Whitfield, highlighting the club’s depth and experience. Cunningham’s inclusion marks her fourth appearance at a World Cup, reflecting her longevity and consistency at the highest level.

Leeds Rhinos contribute five players to the roster. Young Player of the Year candidates Connie Boyd and Ruby Bruce have both been rewarded for their impressive season performances with selection, indicating the club’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent. Coach Barrow commented on 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.

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 historic inclusion of heritage players based in Australia, stating, "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 preparation, noting, "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 full list of selected athletes 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).

Fans can look forward to the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford on Saturday 3 October, broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+. The match kicks off at 6 pm, with pre‑game coverage beginning at 5 pm, providing a final showcase of domestic talent before the World Cup squad departs for the international tournament.