England Women Rugby League World Cup 2026 Squad
England’s women reached the semi-finals at the last Rugby League World Cup, losing to New Zealand, and they’ve never won the trophy.
Under coach Stuart Barrow, they head to Australia with a squad that mixes Super League stars with NRLW players for the very first time.
England Women have named their 23-player squad for the Rugby League World Cup 2026, captained by Jodie Cunningham and including nine Wigan Warriors players and five NRLW stars.
Their campaign starts against Wales in Perth on Saturday 17 October, before tough games against world champions Australia and Samoa.
Below, you’ll find the full squad, the key players, every fixture and how to watch England Women in the UK.
We’ll update this page with any squad changes before kick-off, so it’s worth bookmarking.
Quick Answer: England Women at the Rugby League World Cup 2026
- Squad: 23 players, named on 28 September 2026
- Captain: Jodie Cunningham
- Coach: Stuart Barrow
- Group: Group A with Australia, Samoa and Wales
- First match: England v Wales, Saturday 17 October, HBF Park, Perth
- Last World Cup: Semi-finals in 2022, lost to New Zealand
England Women’s 23-Player Squad for the Rugby League World Cup 2026
Barrow cut his 40-player training group down to 23. Players marked “uncapped” could make their England debut at the tournament.
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Keara Bennett | Leeds Rhinos |
| Connie Boyd (uncapped) | Leeds Rhinos |
| Ruby Bruce | Leeds Rhinos |
| Evie Cousins | Leeds Rhinos |
| Lucy Murray | Leeds Rhinos |
| Mary Coleman | Wigan Warriors |
| Anna Davies | Wigan Warriors |
| Jenna Foubister | Wigan Warriors |
| Eva Hunter | Wigan Warriors |
| Molly Jones | Wigan Warriors |
| Isabel Rowe | Wigan Warriors |
| Lucie Sams (uncapped) | Wigan Warriors |
| Megan Williams | Wigan Warriors |
| Georgia Wilson | Wigan Warriors |
| Jodie Cunningham (captain) | St Helens |
| Vicky Whitfield | St Helens |
| Amelia Brown | Huddersfield Giants |
| Liv Wood | York Valkyrie |
| Hollie-Mae Dodd | Canberra Raiders |
| Fran Goldthorp | North Queensland Cowboys |
| Georgia Roche | Newcastle Knights |
| Jasmin Strange (uncapped) | Sydney Roosters |
| Hope Millard (uncapped) | Canterbury Bulldogs |
Wigan Warriors provide nine players, Leeds Rhinos five, and five more come from Australia’s NRLW.
Key England Women Players to Watch
Jodie Cunningham
The St Helens loose forward is England’s most-capped women’s player, with 35 appearances.
This will be her fourth World Cup and her first as captain, before she retires.
Jasmin Strange
The Sydney Roosters second-rower qualifies through her English-born mother and could make her debut.
She plays in the NRLW Grand Final on Sunday 4 October before joining England in Perth.
Amelia Brown
The Huddersfield Giants winger finished as the Women’s Super League’s leading try-scorer this season.
Vicky Whitfield
The St Helens prop was named in the 2022 World Cup’s team of the tournament.
Fran Goldthorp also returns for the first time since 2022, when she scored three tries in four games.
England Women Fixtures at the Rugby League World Cup 2026
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 17 Oct | England v Wales | HBF Park, Perth |
| Sat 24 Oct | Australia v England | HBF Park, Perth |
| Fri 30 Oct | England v Samoa | WIN Stadium, Wollongong |
The squad flies out to Australia on Thursday 8 October. For kick-off times, see our full Rugby League World Cup 2026 schedule.
How England Women Can Reach the Semi-Finals
England are in Group A with Australia, Samoa and Wales. The top two teams reach the semi-finals.
Beating Wales and Samoa would likely be enough, with the Australia game deciding who tops the group. See every team in our Women’s Rugby League World Cup 2026 guide.
Who Is England Women’s Coach?
Stuart Barrow took charge after the last World Cup in 2022.
He has picked Australian-based heritage players for the first time, blending NRLW and Super League talent.
How to Watch England Women in the UK
Premier Sports is showing every match of the Rugby League World Cup 2026 live in the UK and Ireland, including all of England Women’s games.
For other countries, see our guide to watching the World Cup.
Tickets for England Women’s Matches
All three games are double-headers with England’s men, so one ticket covers both matches.
See our tickets guide, and follow the men’s team on our England squad page.
England Women World Cup Squad: FAQ
Who is in England Women’s Rugby League World Cup 2026 squad?
England have named 23 players, led by captain Jodie Cunningham, with nine from Wigan Warriors and five from the NRLW.
Who is England Women’s captain?
Jodie Cunningham, England’s most-capped women’s player, captains the team at the 2026 World Cup.
When is England Women’s first World Cup match?
England Women play Wales on Saturday 17 October 2026 at HBF Park in Perth.
Who coaches England Women?
Stuart Barrow is England Women’s head coach.
How can I watch England Women in the UK?
Every England Women match is live on Premier Sports in the UK and Ireland.
Summary: England Women at the Rugby League World Cup 2026
England Women travel with a new-look squad, a farewell tour for captain Jodie Cunningham, and real hopes of a first final.
It all starts against Wales on 17 October. For official news, visit rugby-league.com.
England Women Squad Updates
- 3 October 2026: Page published with England Women’s 23-player World Cup squad.
