England’s women’s rugby league side, under the guidance of head coach Stuart Barrow, has unveiled a 23‑player roster for the upcoming 2026 Rugby League World Cup. The selection blends seasoned internationals with a handful of newcomers, reflecting a strategic mix of experience and fresh talent aimed at competing at the highest level.
Among the debutants are four players who have yet to earn an England cap. The most notable of these 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 Sunday, 4 October.
The other three uncapped athletes are Connie Boyd of the Leeds Rhinos, Hope Millard from the Canterbury Bulldogs, and Lucie Sams, who turns out for the Wigan Warriors. Their inclusion signals Barrow’s willingness to broaden the talent pool and reward strong performances in both the domestic Women’s Super League and the overseas NRLW. All three nominees for this year’s Woman of Steel award have secured places in the World Cup squad, alongside six of their teammates from the Wigan Warriors.
Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams will discover the outcome of the award ceremony on Tuesday, 29 September, before departing for Australia the following Thursday to join the national team. Returning to the international stage after a four‑year hiatus is Fran Goldthorp, who featured in the 2022 World Cup and recorded three tries in four matches.
She is joined by two other England‑qualified players who ply their trade in the NRLW: Georgia Roche of the Newcastle Knights and Hollie‑Mae Dodd, who represents the Canberra Raiders. Their presence marks a historic moment, as heritage players based in Australia have been selected for England for the first time. York Valkyrie, the freshly crowned Betfred Women’s Super League champions, are represented by forward Liv Wood.
The competition’s leading try‑scorer, Amelia Brown of the Huddersfield Giants, also makes the squad, underscoring her prolific scoring record and importance to the team’s attacking options. St Helens’ veteran loose forward Jodie Cunningham returns for what will be her fourth World Cup appearance, accompanied by teammate Vicky Whitfield. Their experience adds a valuable leadership core that can guide the younger members through the pressures of a global tournament. Leeds Rhinos contribute five players to the roster, including Young Player of the Year nominees Connie Boyd and Ruby Bruce, both of whom earned their spots through standout performances throughout the season.
Their inclusion highlights the club’s growing influence on the national stage. Coach Barrow commented on the selection process, noting the high standard across the wider training group: "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: "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: "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).
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 p.m., with pre‑game coverage beginning at 5 p.m., offering a final showcase of domestic talent before the England women head to the World Cup arena.