As England Women prepare for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, four new names have entered camp.
From established professionals thriving in Australia to emerging stars who have enjoyed breakthrough domestic campaigns, Jasmin Strange, Hope Millard, Connie Boyd and Lucie Sams arrive eager to seize their opportunity and help England challenge the world's best.
Jasmin Strange
23 year-old Jasmin Strange featured in her fourth consecutive NRLW Grand Final two Sundays ago (4 Oct) playing a key-role in her sides triumph against the Brisbane Broncos.
The second row is eligible through her mother Adele who hails from Yorkshire and moved to Australia after marrying her father John in England, where the Sydney Roosters and NSW Blues mentor began his coaching career after playing stints with Featherstone, York and Sheffield.
A two-time NRLW Premiership winner, Strange returned to the Roosters in 2024 after a successful stint with the Newcastle Knights. She played every game in the Roosters' 2024 title-winning campaign, contributing significantly to their success.
Hope Millard
Few players have made a bigger impression in recent seasons than Hope Millard. The dynamic prop has continued her development in the NRLW with the Canterbury Bulldogs.
A member of the 2023 Tarsha Gale Cup Premiership-winning Illawarra Steelers outfit, Millard showed great potential in her first year in the NRLW in 2025. A NSW Sky Blues Under 19s State of Origin representative, Millard has been described as a workhorse and became a mainstay of the side after debuting in Round 3 last season.
The 21-year-old played every match for the Bulldogs in 2026 and was born in Widnes while her father Shane was playing in England, where he also had stints with London Broncos, Leeds and Wigan, as well as the Vikings.
Connie Boyd
Leeds Rhinos forward Connie Boyd has earned her place in England's World Cup squad after producing a series of impressive performances in the Betfred Women's Super League.
Boyd has established herself as one of the competition’s most exciting young talents and was named Young Player of the Year at the Rugby League Awards in September. The 20-year-old, who progressed through the Rhinos pathway after joining from Oulton Raidettes, has taken her game to another level in 2026.
After making 13 appearances in 2025, Boyd has scored 16 tries in 16 appearances across all competitions and has become a regular starter in the Rhinos backline. Among her standout performances was a four-try haul against Featherstone Rovers in May.
Lucie Sams
A key member of the Wigan Warriors squad, Lucie Sams has established herself as a reliable performer capable of influencing matches with both her effort and skill. Her development has mirrored Wigan's rise in recent seasons, with strong club performances helping to earn international recognition.
The 20-year-old prop has enjoyed success in the Challenge Cup with both St Helens and Wigan Warriors – but before establishing herself as one of the Warriors’ rising stars, Sams was balancing rugby with a promising netball career and international rugby union ambitions.
Sams played netball for Manchester Thunder between the ages of 11 and 16, while also representing England at Under-18 and Under-20 level in rugby union during her time with Sale Sharks.
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.
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