5 Leeds Rhinos players named in England Women's World Cup squad
Five Leeds Rhinos players have been named in England’s squad for the Women’s World Cup which begins next month.
Rhinos’ Keara Bennett, Connie Boyd, Ruby Bruce, Evie Cousins and Lucy Murray all feature in the 23-player group. Boyd, a Betfred Women’s Super League young player of the year nominee, is one of four players who could make their England debut during the tournament.
Coach Stuart Barrow’s squad also includes former Leeds stars Fran Goldthorp and Georgia Roche, who now play in the southern hemisphere NRL Women’s [NRLW] competition, for North Queensland Cowboys and Newcastle Knights respectively.
Jasmin Strange, who will play for Sydney Roosters in this weekend’s NRLW Grand Final, has been called up by England for the first time. The 23-year-old second-rower qualifies through her English-born mother.
Stuart Barrow said: “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 Women’s 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 Cunnigham (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) *Potential debutant.