The England squad for the 2026 Women’s Rugby League World Cup has been named, with Wigan Warriors dominating selections.
The Warriors, who finished the Women’s Super League season at the top of the table with only one defeat, lost in the Grand Final to York Valkyrie on Sunday, but that hasn’t stopped England boss Stuart Barrow from picking nine of their stars.
Woman of Steel nominees Meg Williams, Jenna Foubister and Eva Hunter are all named, as are Anna Davies, Mary Coleman, Molly Jones, Isabel Rowe and Georgia Wilson. Prop Lucie Sams is the final member of the Wigan contingent, and is one of four players included who could make their international debut.
Leeds Rhinos boast the second-highest number of selections with five. Connie Boyd and Ruby Bruce, both of whom are shortlisted for the Young Player of the Year award, make the side, as do Lucy Murray, Ruby Bruce and Evie Cousins.
Grand Final winners York have just one inclusion, that being prop Liv Wood, whilst St Helens veterans Jodie Cunningham and Vicky Whitfield retain their place from the last World Cup.
There are five players in the 23 who play in the NRLW – former Leeds pair Fran Goldthorp and Georgie Roche, as well as ex-York forward Hollie-Mae Dodd return to the international stage whilst Barrow has utilised the heritage rulings with the additons of Jasmin Strange and Hope Millard.
Huddersfield Giants full-back and top scorer in the Women’s Super League, Amelia Brown, is the final inclusion.
England Women 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 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), Liv Wood (York Valkyrie)
*Denotes debutant
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