Five Rhinos named in England Women squad

Congratulations to Rhinos Women's players Evie Cousins, Keara Bennett, Ruby Bruce, Lucy Murray and Connie Boyd who been named by in Stuart Barrow's 23-player squad that will represent the national team at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.

Barrow’s squad includes four potential debutants, including NRLW Grand Finalist Jasmine Strange. The 23-year-old second-rower, who qualifies through her English-born mother, will link up with the England squad in Perth after the Roosters face Brisbane Broncos on Sunday (4 Oct). She is joined by fellow potential debutants 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 selected, alongside six of their Wigan Warriors teammates. Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams will discover who has been crowned this season’s outstanding player on Tuesday night (29 Sept), before flying to Australia next Thursday.

Fran Goldthorp will represent England for the first time since the 2022 World Cup, where she made four appearances and scored three tries. She is selected alongside two other England players based in the NRLW: Georgia Roche (Newcastle Knights) and Hollie-Mae Dodd (Canberra Raiders).

The newly crowned Betfred Women’s Super League champions York Valkyrie are represented by Liv Wood, while the competition’s leading try-scorer, Amelia Brown (Huddersfield Giants), is also selected.

St Helens loose forward Jodie Cunningham is joined in the squad by teammate Vicky Whitfield, with the 34-year-old set to pull on the national shirt at her fourth World Cup.

Leeds Rhinos have five players included, with Young Player of the Year nominees Boyd and Ruby Bruce both recognised for their efforts this season.

England Women head coach, Stuart Barrow, says:

“Firstly, congratulations to every player selected in our World Cup squad. 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, 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.

“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.”

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*), Jasmine Strange (Sydney Roosters*), Vicky Whitfield (St Helens), Megan Williams (Wigan Warriors), Georgia Wilson (Wigan Warriors), Liv Wood (York Valkyrie)

*Potential debutant