Jasmin Strange admits wearing the England shirt for the first time was a moment she will never forget as the Rugby League World Cup edges closer.
The Sydney Roosters forward is one of several new faces in England Women's squad for the tournament in Australia, where the team will begin their campaign against Wales before further group-stage fixtures against Samoa and tournament hosts Australia.
For Strange, whose mother was born in Yorkshire, representing England has been a long-held ambition and one she describes as the ultimate goal of her rugby league career.
"It's definitely starting to feel real that I'm representing England," said Strange.
"When we went into the changing rooms and I put this kit on, I had a few seconds to just look in the mirror and take it all in and it honestly just feels surreal. It's starting to sink in now and I'm very excited."
The 23-year-old arrives at the World Cup with an impressive rugby league pedigree already established in the NRLW. Born in Gosford, New South Wales, Strange made her NRLW debut with the Sydney Roosters in 2022 before joining the Newcastle Knights, where she played every game of their 2023 premiership-winning campaign. She returned to the Roosters ahead of the 2024 season and has since added a second NRLW title to her resumé. As of October 2026, Strange has made 49 NRLW appearances and scored 11 tries.
Her England call-up has prompted an emotional reaction from family members on both sides of the world, none more so than her mother.
"The second that I told her I was in the squad, she booked her tickets and accommodation and everything like that," said Strange.
"She'll definitely be there. I don't know a single person in the world that's been more excited for anything in their whole life.
"Every single day through the season she was asking if I knew whether I was in the squad yet. When I finally told her, she was so emotional and so proud and told all of her family back in the UK.
"I can't wait to see her in the stadium and go over and give her a big cuddle after our first game."
The call-up caps a remarkable period for the Strange family. Her father, John Strange, is one of the most respected coaches in the women's game and recently guided the Roosters to another NRLW Grand Final, while brother Ethan continues his rise in the men's game.
Yet for perhaps the first time, the spotlight belongs solely to Jasmin.
"It's been a very big few weeks," she said.
"My dad and mum spoke to me and said how excited they are that they're coming over to Perth to support me.
"It's going to be nice that it's just about me as well because it's always myself and Ethan. I'm so proud of him, but ever since we were little we've done everything together. This is actually the first time it's just about Jaz, which is cool."
While Strange has already experienced the pressure of multiple NRLW Grand Finals, she believes an England World Cup campaign represents the pinnacle of her rugby league journey.
"Playing for England has always been my ultimate goal in rugby league, so to achieve it, especially so young, I'm just so grateful and so excited," she said.
"When I got that call that I was in the squad, we actually had a fan-day training session, so I had to jump up and down and scream to myself really quietly because we couldn't announce the squad.”
A key factor in her decision to commit to England was conversations with Head Coach Stuart Barrow, whose vision for the future quickly convinced her she was making the right choice.
"We had a meeting and after a couple of seconds of speaking to him, honestly, I thought, 'Yep, this is the place for me'," said Strange.
"He's got such a footy brain. He gave me so much confidence in him, how he's going to coach the team and his confidence in me as well.
"After speaking to him, that definitely cemented that I wanted to play for England."
Strange will also reunite with former Newcastle Knights team-mate Georgia Roche, who was among the first players she contacted when exploring international opportunities with England.
"I spoke to Georgia when I played with her at Newcastle and said, 'Can you give me the coach's number please? I'd really like to play for England.'
"I'm very excited to be playing with her again. She gave me a lot of good ball when I was at the Knights.
"All of the girls I've met have been so genuine, kind and friendly. I'm really excited to come into that environment."
England Women begin their World Cup campaign against Wales before taking on Australia and Samoa as they bid to progress deep into the tournament.
For Strange, success will be measured by more than results alone, although she admits she has one clear objective.
"I think it's about our team gelling really well and building on what the girls before us have built," she said.
"A lot of the players who came before us helped create these opportunities and pathways.
"We want to build on that, play some good footy, be tough out there and enjoy it.”
England Women begin their Rugby League World Cup campaign in Perth against Wales before taking on tournament hosts Australia and Samoa in Group A. Fixtures are as follows:
Saturday 17 October
England v Wales – 7.35am
HBF Park, Perth
Saturday 24 October
England v Australia – 10.05am
HBF Park, Perth
Friday 30 October
England v Samoa – 6.45am
WIN Stadium, Wollongong
The top two teams from Group A will progress to the semi-finals, with the Rugby League World Cup Final taking place at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, on Sunday 15 November.
