AFTER losing 90-4 to the Jillaroos in Las Vegas, England women were urged to consider heritage players from the WNRL such as Jasmin Strange and Jocelyn Kelleher.
There was no indication one way or another whether coach Stuart Barrow would be taking that advice when he named a 33-person National Performance Squad tonight.
Canberra’s Hollie Mae Dodd and North Queensland’s Fran Goldthorp were included, as was Lea Burke who returns after a two-year absence.
The side assembles at Leeds Beckett University on Saturday. Newcastle Knights’ Georgia Roach was not listed but is in the squad, a media release said.
Barrow commented: “Twenty 26 is another huge year for the England Women squad with the Rugby League World Cup taking place in October and our preparations are stepping up a notch now that we are less than 10 months away from our opening game against Wales.
“With players currently still in the off-season, this squad will continue to grow and develop throughout the year based on individual performances in the Betfred Women’s Super League and Challenge Cup.
“As part of our ongoing preparations, we’re very much looking forward to travelling to France in July. The timing of this fixture gives us a great opportunity to assess where we are as a squad just a few months out from the World Cup.”
Savannah Andrade (York Valkyrie), Mia-Jayne Atherton (Wigan Warriors), Grace Banks (Wigan Warriors), Keara Bennett (Leeds Rhinos), Ruby Bruce (Leeds Rhinos), Leah Burke (St Helens), Caitlin Casey (St Helens), Mary Coleman (Wigan Warriors), Evie Cousins (Leeds Rhinos), Jodie Cunningham (St Helens), Anna Davies (Wigan Warriors), Ellise Derbyshire (Wigan Warriors), Hollie-Mae Dodd (Canberra Raiders), Ella Donnelly (Leeds Rhinos) Jenna Foubister (Wigan Warriors), Fran Goldthorp (North Queensland Cowboys), Amy Hardcastle (St Helens), Shona Hoyle-Holdsworth (St Helens), Eva Hunter (Wigan Warriors), Molly Jones (Wigan Warriors), Erin McDonald (St Helens), Katie Mottershead (St Helens), Lucy Murray (Leeds Rhinos), Izzy Northrop (Leeds Rhinos), Eboni Partington (York Valkyrie), Tamzin Renouf (York Valkyrie), Isable Rowe (Wigan Warriors), Bella Sykes (Leeds Rhinos), Paige Travis (St Helens), Vicky Whitfield (St Helens), Megan Williams (Wigan Warriors), Georgia Wilson (Wigan Warriors), Liv Wood (York Valkyrie)