England name Strange in 23-strong World Cup squad — SkimNews
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- Jasmin Strange, the 23-year-old Sydney Roosters second-row forward, headlines England's 23-strong World Cup squad as one of four potential debutants, qualifying through her mother Adele after IRL relaxed eligibility rules this year.
- Connie Boyd (Leeds Rhinos), Hope Millard (Canterbury Bulldogs) and Lucie Sams (Wigan Warriors) join Strange as the other three uncapped players in the squad.
- Head coach Stu Barrow acknowledged passing on other NRLW heritage options such as Jocelyn Kelleher, Tayla Preston and Caitlin Turnbull, saying he wants to give homegrown players an opportunity to develop.
- Six NRLW-based players are included alongside Strange — Fran Goldthorp (North Queensland), Georgia Roche (Newcastle Knights), Hollie-Mae Dodd (Canberra Raiders) and Hope Millard — with Millard's father Shane having played for Widnes, Leeds and Wigan.
- All three Woman of Steel nominees — Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams — are selected, with Wigan supplying six players; Jodie Cunningham is included ahead of a post-tournament retirement, while Vicky Whitfield will compete at her fourth World Cup.
- England face Wales in Perth on 17 October, Australia on 24 October and Samoa in Wollongong on 30 October, with semi-finals on 7-8 November and the final on 15 November in Australia.
Why it matters: England's squad is the first to include Australian-based heritage players under newly relaxed International Rugby League rules, with six of 23 based in the NRLW. Coach Stu Barrow explicitly passed on other heritage options to develop homegrown players — a choice that will be tested when England face Australia on 24 October.
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