England Women Name 2026 Rugby League World Cup Squad — SkimNews
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- Stuart Barrow named a 23-player England Women squad for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup (October 15–November 15), narrowing the selection from an initial group of 40
- Four potential debutants made the cut, headlined by NRLW Grand Finalist Jasmin Strange, an Australia-born second-rower who qualifies through her English-born mother
- Wigan Warriors supply nine of the 23 players, including all three 2025 Woman of Steel Award nominees — Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams
- Leeds Rhinos contribute five players, while St Helens loose forward Jodie Cunningham, 34, was selected for her fourth World Cup
- The squad marks the first inclusion of Australian-based heritage players, blending NRLW and Women's Super League talent in what Barrow called 'an exciting moment for the programme'
Why it matters: Barrow's selection represents a deliberate generational shift, with four uncapped call-ups and nine Wigan Warriors players forming the spine. Including NRLW-based heritage players for the first time expands England's recruitment pool beyond the domestic Super League — a structural change the coach himself framed as a milestone for the programme.
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