Boyd set for England debut in World Cup opener

Women's Super League Young Player of the Year Connie Boyd has been rewarded for her outstanding season with Leeds Rhinos with a place in the England Womens starting line up for the World Cup opener against Wales at HBF Park in Perth on Saturday 17 October (KO 7.35am). 

England Women head coach Stuart Barrow has named his squad with three uncapped players are in line to make their senior international debuts: Boyd alogin with Sydney Roosters back-rower Jasmin Strange and Canterbury Bulldogs prop Hope Millard. Strange arrives after featuring in a fourth consecutive NRLW Grand Final and has already won premierships with Newcastle Knights and Sydney Roosters.

Rhinos star Keara Bennett is also named in the squad to face Wales as she appears in her second World Cup, looking to gain her eighth cap for England. 

Reigning Woman of Steel Jenna Foubister has been named on the interchange bench and is set to make her World Cup debut. The 19-year-old Wigan Warriors half-back has scored in each of her first two senior internationals and registered nine tries in 18 appearances across all competitions in 2026. She is joined in the matchday squad by six Wigan teammates.

Former Leeds Rhinos star and Guiseley Rangers junior Fran Goldthorp returns to the England side for the first time since the 2022 World Cup, where she scored three tries in four appearances. The North Queensland Cowboys full-back is one of three NRLW-based England players selected, alongside Newcastle Knights and former Leeds half-back Georgia Roche and Canberra Raiders forward Hollie-Mae Dodd.

Amelia Brown is in line to make her first England appearance since scoring a hat-trick on debut against Wales at AMT Headingley in November 2024. The 22-year-old crossed three times in England’s record 82-0 victory and finished the 2026 season with 31 tries in all competitions, including a league-leading 26 in the Betfred Women’s Super League.

England and St Helens captain Jodie Cunningham will lead England at her fourth World Cup. The 34-year-old St Helens loose forward is the record appearance-holder, having won 35 caps and scored 10 international tries since making her debut against France in 2009. She is joined in the squad by Saints teammate Vicky Whitfield.

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England Women squad to face Wales

Keara Bennett (Leeds Rhinos), Connie Boyd (Leeds Rhinos*), Amelia Brown (Huddersfield Giants), Mary Coleman (Wigan Warriors), Jodie Cunningham (St Helens), Anna Davies (Wigan Warriors), Hollie-Mae Dodd (Canberra Raiders), Jenna Foubister (Wigan Warriors), Fran Goldthorp (North Queensland Cowboys), Eva Hunter (Wigan Warriors), Hope Millard (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs*), Georgia Roche (Newcastle Knights), Isabel Rowe (Wigan Warriors), Jasmin Strange (Sydney Roosters*), Vicky Whitfield (St Helens), Megan Williams (Wigan Warriors), Georgia Wilson (Wigan Warriors)

*Debut

Liv Wood, 18^th (York Valkyrie)

Ruby Bruce, 19^th (Leeds Rhinos)

Lucy Murray, 20^th (Leeds Rhinos)