England Women’s head coach Stuart Barrow has released the final 23‑player roster that will represent the nation at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup. The selection reflects a blend of seasoned internationals, emerging talent, and a few historic first‑time inclusions that underline the growing depth of the English women’s game. Among the newcomers are four players who have never previously worn the England jersey. 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 UK. She will join the squad in Perth after the Roosters’ clash with the Brisbane Broncos on 4 October, adding a fresh perspective and NRLW experience to the group.
The other uncapped athletes are Leeds Rhinos forward Connie Boyd, Canterbury Bulldogs forward Hope Millard, and Wigan Warriors prop Lucie Sams. All three have impressed at club level and now have the chance to earn their first international cap.
Three of the nominees for this year’s Woman of Steel award have secured places in the World Cup squad, along 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 departing for Australia the following Thursday, meaning they will head into the tournament with both personal accolades and national duties on their minds.
Former World Cup star Fran Goldthorp returns to the England set‑up for the first time since the 2022 tournament, where she featured in four matches and crossed for three tries. She joins two other England‑qualified players who are currently based in the NRLW: Georgia Roche of the Newcastle Knights and Hollie‑Mae Dodd of the Canberra Raiders. Their inclusion marks a significant milestone, as it is the first occasion that heritage players based in Australia have been selected for the English women’s side. The newly crowned Betfred Women’s Super League champions, York Valkyrie, are represented by veteran forward Liv Wood, while the league’s leading try‑scorer, Amelia Brown of the Huddersfield Giants, also makes the squad.
Their attacking prowess will be vital in a competition where points can be hard to come by. St Helens loose forward Jodie Cunningham, a stalwart of the England set‑up, is joined by teammate Vicky Whitfield. Cunningham is heading to her fourth World Cup, bringing a wealth of experience and leadership that will be crucial for the younger members of the group.
Leeds Rhinos have the highest representation with five players selected. Among them, Young Player of the Year nominees Connie Boyd and Ruby Bruce have earned their spots through consistent performances throughout the season, highlighting the club’s strong development pathway.
Coach Barrow commented on the difficulty of the selection process: "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 nature of the squad composition: "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 roster 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 squad will head to Australia shortly after the Super League Grand Final, which is scheduled for 3 October at Old Trafford. The final will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+, kicking off at 6 pm with pre‑match coverage beginning at 5 pm.
This high‑profile showcase provides a perfect platform for the England women to demonstrate the progress of the sport and to build momentum ahead of the World Cup campaign.