LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Cowboys back Fran Goldthorp and Raiders forward Hollie-Mae Dodd are included in an England training squad as preparations commence for RLWC26, according to raiders.com.au.
England coach Stuart Barrow has selected the NRLW talents as part of a 33-player National Performance Squad, which will convene for a training camp in Leeds starting January 10.
Goldthorp, who switched from fullback to right wing and earned the 2025 North Queensland players' player award, makes a return to the England setup for the first time since 2024.
Dodd is also a pivotal member of England's World Cup strategy and will join the performance squad before resuming her fourth season with the Raiders in Canberra.
Notably absent from the training squad is Knights playmaker Georgia Roche, who is based full-time in Australia and holds a development role with the club.
Goldthorp, Dodd, and Roche (25) made history as the first English players to join NRLW clubs in 2023. Additionally, no other NRLW players of English heritage, such as Roosters' Jasmine Strange and Jocelyn Kelleher or Bulldogs halfback Tayla Preston, have been selected.
Included in the squad is former Eels second-rower Paige Travis, who has returned to England following her last season in the NRLW.