England Women’s manager Stuart Barrow has named his 23-man squad for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
Four potential debutants have made the cut, including NRLW grand finalist Jasmin Strange. The 23-year-old Australian-born number two, who qualifies through her English-born mother, will link up with the England squad in Perth after the Roosters take on the Brisbane Broncos on Sunday 4 October.
Other non-football players named in the squad are Connie Boyd (Leeds Rhinos), Hope Millard (Canterbury Bulldogs) and Lucie Sams (Wigan Warriors).
All three nominees for this year’s Woman of Steel Award have been shortlisted, along with six of their Wigan Warriors teammates. Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams will find out who has been crowned this season’s player of the year on Tuesday 29 September before flying to Australia next Thursday.
Fran Goldthorp will represent England for the first time since the 2022 World Cup, where he made four appearances and scored three tries. She has been selected alongside two other NRLW-based England players: Georgia Roche (Newcastle Knights) and Hollie-Mae Dodd (Canberra Raiders).
Newly crowned Betfred Women’s Super League champions York Valkyrie are represented by Liv Wood, while the competition’s top scorer Amelia Brown (Huddersfield Giants) is also involved.
St Helens loose forward Jodie Cunningham is joined by team-mate Vicky Whitfield, with the 34-year-old set to play in her fourth World Cup.
There are five Leeds Rhinos players, with young player of the year nominees Boyd and Ruby Bruce both recognized for their efforts this season in one place.
Coach Barrow said: “The standard across the wide group has been outstanding all 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, traveled to France and I’ve been present at all the Super Four games to assess the players in contention for selection.
“Narrowing down our squad from 40 players to a final 23 has involved some tough decisions, but we believe we have the right balance of experience and youth to compete on the world stage.
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York’s Lisa Parker was proposed after winning the Women’s Super League grand final.
“It’s also an exciting time for the program with the inclusion of Australian-based heritage players for the first time. Bringing in talent from the NRLW and Women’s Super League gives us a unique blend of quality and experience, and we’re excited to see these players join an England shirt.
“Now our focus is on preparation. We know the challenges that await us at a World Cup, but we are traveling with a squad that believes in itself, embraces the responsibility to represent England and is determined to do the nation proud.”
England Women’s World Cup Squad:
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 Cunnigham (St Warrieli (St Helens) 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 (LeedsWNightRhinos) 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)
*Probable debutant
The Super League Grand Final takes place at Old Trafford on Saturday 3 October, live The main event of Sky Sports and Sky Sports+.
The match will take place at 18:00, broadcast Sky Sports from 5 p.m.
