England Women’s head coach Stuart Barrow has released his final 23‑player roster for the upcoming 2026 Rugby League World Cup, confirming a blend of seasoned internationals and promising newcomers. The squad selection reflects a strategic mix of experience, youth, and a growing pool of talent drawn from both the domestic Women’s Super League and the Australian NRLW competition. Among the fresh faces are four potential debutants who have earned their first senior caps. Notably, 23‑year‑old Jasmin Strange, a second‑row forward who recently starred in the NRLW Grand Final with the Sydney Roosters, has been included.
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 England camp after the Roosters’ match against the Brisbane Broncos on 4 October.
The other three uncapped players are Connie Boyd of the Leeds Rhinos, Hope Millard from the Canterbury Bulldogs, and Lucie Sams of the Wigan Warriors. Their inclusion signals Barrow’s confidence in the depth of emerging talent across the league system.
All three nominees for this season’s Woman of Steel award have secured places in the squad, alongside 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 departing for Australia the following Thursday to begin their World Cup preparations. Former World Cup star Fran Goldthorp returns to the England side for the first time since the 2022 tournament, where she made four appearances and crossed the try‑line three times.
Goldthorp joins two other England‑qualified NRLW players in the squad: Georgia Roche, who plies her trade with the Newcastle Knights, and Hollie‑Mae Dodd of the Canberra Raiders. The newly crowned Betfred Women’s Super League champions, York Valkyrie, are represented by forward Liv Wood.
The competition’s leading try‑scorer, Amelia Brown of the Huddersfield Giants, also earns a spot, highlighting her prolific scoring record throughout the season. St Helens’ veteran loose forward Jodie Cunningham returns for what will be her fourth World Cup appearance, accompanied by teammate Vicky Whitfield, who adds further experience to the forward pack. Leeds Rhinos have a strong presence with five players selected.
Young Player of the Year nominees Connie Boyd and Ruby Bruce are both rewarded for their impressive performances this year, securing their places alongside other Rhinos stand‑outs. Coach Barrow commented on the selection process, stating, "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 added, "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. 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 player 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 squad will convene for a pre‑World Cup camp in Perth, where they will fine‑tune set‑plays, defensive structures, and conditioning ahead of the tournament in Australia. The inclusion of heritage players based in the NRLW is expected to bring a different tactical perspective, given the higher intensity and professional environment of the Australian league. This cross‑hemisphere collaboration aims to elevate England’s game plan, combining the physicality of the NRLW with the skillful, fast‑paced style typical of the Women’s Super League.
The World Cup itself will feature a series of matches across several Australian venues, culminating in the final at a major stadium. England will face a field of strong opponents, including the host nation, New Zealand, and the traditionally dominant Australian side.
Barrow’s squad will need to adapt quickly to different playing conditions, travel schedules, and the pressure of representing their country on the global stage. Fans can look forward to the Super League Grand Final, which will be held at Old Trafford on Saturday 3 October, broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+. The final kicks off at 6 pm, with pre‑match coverage beginning at 5 pm, offering a perfect preview of the talent that many of the World Cup players will showcase in the weeks to come.
As the tournament approaches, the England women’s team will continue to train intensively, focusing on cohesion between the NRLW‑based players and those from the domestic league. The aim is to build a unified squad capable of challenging for the title and delivering a performance that will inspire the next generation of female rugby league athletes in England and beyond.