Nine Wigan Warriors players named in England squad for Women's Rugby League World Cup

Nine players from Wigan Warriors have been selected in England’s 23-woman squad for the Women’s Rugby League World Cup this autumn.

England coach Stuart Barrow has named his 23-woman squad that will head Down Under this autumn, which includes Wigan stars Mary Coleman, Anna Davies, Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter, Molly Jones, Izzy Rowe, Megan Williams, Georgia Wilson and Lucie Sams. The latter could make her international debut at the World Cup.

Barrow’s squad includes three more potential debutants, including NRLW Grand Finalist Jasmin Strange and Canterbury Bulldogs’ Hope Millard, who is the daughter of former Wigan hooker Shane Millard. Leeds Rhinos ace Connie Boyd is also uncapped.

All three nominees for this year’s Woman of Steel award - Foubister, Hunter and Williams - have been selected for England, who will fly out to Australia next Thursday.

Fran Goldthorp will represent England for the first time since the last World Cup in 2022, where she scored three tries in four appearances. She is selected alongside two other England players plying their trade in the NRLW - Georgia Roche of Newcastle Knights and Canberra Raiders’ Hollie-Mae Dodd.

The newly-crowned Women’s Super League champions York Valkyrie are represented by Liv Wood, while the competition’s top try-scorer Amelia Brown of Huddersfield Giants is also selected.

St Helens stalwart Jodie Cunningham will represent her country in the tournament before she hangs up her boots, while her club teammate Vicky Whitfield will play in her fourth World Cup this autumn.

Leeds Rhinos have five players included in Barrow’s squad, including Young Player of the Year nominees Boyd and Ruby Bruce.

“Firstly, congratulations to every player selected in our World Cup squad,” said Barrow.

“The standard across the wider group has been outstanding throughout the season, which made the selection process incredibly challenging.

“At the start of the year, we set out a clear selection timeline with the players, outlining the standards, milestones and opportunities that would contribute to today’s selection.

“Throughout the season, we’ve had a number of England camps, we have travelled to France, and I’ve been present at all the Super Four games to assess the players in contention for selection.

“Narrowing our squad from 40 players to a final 23 has involved some difficult decisions, but we believe we have the right balance of experience and youth to compete on the world stage.

“It’s also an exciting moment for the programme with the inclusion of Australian-based heritage players for the first time.

“Bringing together talent from both the NRLW and the Women’s Super League gives us a unique blend of quality and experience, and we’re excited to see these players come together in an England shirt.

“Now our focus turns to preparation. We know the challenges that await at a World Cup, but we are travelling with a squad that believes in itself, embraces the responsibility of representing England, and is determined to make the nation proud.”

England squad for the Women’s Rugby League World Cup: Keara Bennett, Connie Boyd, Ruby Bruce, Evie Cousins, Lucy Murray (all Leeds Rhinos), Amelia Brown (Huddersfield Giants), Mary Coleman, Anna Davies, Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter, Molly Jones, Izzy Rowe, Lucie Sams, Megan Williams, Georgia Wilson (all Wigan Warriors), Jodie Cunnigham, Vicky Whitfield (both St Helens), Hollie-Mae Dodd (Canberra Raiders), Fran Goldthorp (North Queensland Cowboys), Hope Millard (Canterbury Bulldogs), Georgia Roche (Newcastle Knights), Jasmin Strange (Sydney Roosters), Liv Wood (York Valkyrie).

England will kick off their World Cup campaign against Wales in Perth on Saturday, October 17.