NRLW stars in England squad for RLWC26

Cowboys back Fran Goldthorp and Raiders forward Hollie-Mae Dodd have been selected for an England training squad as preparations commence for the upcoming RLWC26.

England coach Stuart Barrow has included the NRLW players in a 33-member National Performance Squad, which is set to convene for a training camp in Leeds on January 10.

Goldthorp, who received the 2025 North Queensland players' player award after her transition from fullback to right wing, returns to the England setup for the first time since 2024.

Dodd is another crucial component of England's World Cup strategy and will join the performance squad before heading back to Canberra for her fourth season with the Raiders.

Notably missing from the training squad is Knights playmaker Georgia Roche, who is based in Australia and holds a development role at the club.

At age 25, Roche, along with 22-year-olds Goldthorp and Dodd, made history in 2023 as the first English players to secure contracts with NRLW teams.

The training squad also excludes players with English heritage currently in the NRLW, such as Roosters stars Jasmine Strange and Jocelyn Kelleher, and Bulldogs halfback Tayla Preston.