Halifax star Brown named in England’s World Cup squad
Halifax star Amelia Brown has been named in the 23-player squad that will represent England at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
Winger Brown, the leading try scorer in the Betfred Women’s Super League, is Huddersfield Giants’ sole representative in the squad named by head coach Stuart Barrow.
The squad also has four potential debutants, including NRLW Grand Finalist Jasmin Strange. The 23-year-old second-rower, who qualifies through her English-born mother, will link up with the England squad in Perth after the Roosters face Brisbane Broncos on Sunday.
She is joined by fellow potential debutants Connie Boyd (Leeds Rhinos), Hope Millard (Canterbury Bulldogs) and Lucie Sams (Wigan Warriors).
Barrow said: “Firstly, congratulations to every player selected in our World Cup squad. 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 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: 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 Cunningham (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).