England Women’s Rugby League team has officially announced their squad for the highly anticipated match against the world champions, Australia Jillaroos, set to take place in Las Vegas on March 1, 2025. This fixture marks a historic moment as England faces Australia for the first time since 2017, making it a crucial test for the team.
Georgia Roche Returns to England Squad
One of the biggest highlights of the squad selection is the return of Georgia Roche, the 2023 NRLW Grand Final winner. The 24 year old halfback had an amazing season with the Newcastle Knights, scoring two tries in 10 matches. Having been absent from the national team for over a year, Roche is to meet up with her England colleagues and join the squad on February 25 when they travel to Nevada to commence final preparations.
New Faces and Exciting Prospects
The squad features Hollie-Mae Dodd, a second-row player of the Canberra Raiders, who contributed with a try-scoring return when facing Wales in the Autumn international. Joining her is Paige Travis, who has also been selected for the squad.
Perhaps the most promising addition is Tamzin Renouf having made a comeback after a knee injury being one of the five York Valkyrie team members invited to the tournament. Her teammate Jas Bell is also in the selection frame to get her international debut which is a great achievement in her career.
Another open player grabbing the headlines is 18-year-old Jenna Foubister, who will play for Wigan Warriors along with Anna Davies. Their presence demonstrates the commitment of England to developing and encouraging some of its younger artistic potential, and to including them within demanding international engagements.
The team also includes seven St Helens players, three of whom, Jodie Cunningham, Amy Hardcastle, and Shona Hoyle—have represented England in their last encounter with the Jillaroos in 2017. Their experience will be invaluable as England prepares for this crucial game.
Coach Stuart Barrow’s Thoughts on the Squad Selection
England Women’s Head Coach, Stuart Barrow, expressed his excitement about the squad and acknowledged the tough selection process.
“Every player in this travelling squad has an important role to play when we face the Australia Jillaroos in three weeks’ time,” Barrow stated.
“It’s been a really difficult selection process because there is a lot of talent within the group, which means there are some very good players who will unfortunately miss out. “*
Barrow also emphasized the significance of the upcoming match:
“Now we have to focus on the challenge that lies ahead, which is a historic fixture against the world champions for the first time since 2017, and I’m very much looking forward to getting the group together for our final camp next weekend. “*
The Significance of the Las Vegas Fixture
The match with the Jillaroos is not only another game of rugby league it’s a significant milestone for women’s rugby league. Set in Las Vegas, this game is an example of an expanding effort to establish rugby league’s global reach. And, of course, that excitement is heightened by location, to which both fans and players are eagerly awaiting.
Wigan Warriors’ Kruise Leeming spoke on the excitement of playing in Las Vegas, pointing out the significance of this event to the size of the sport of rugby league in a world sense.
Now that the squad is complete, the England Women’s team will complete their final training camp at Weetwood before travelling to Nevada on 25 February. This preparative phase will be very important since they will be able to develop the best strategies to face the world champions.
What’s Next?
With just a few weeks left before the showdown, fans are eagerly awaiting to see how England will perform against the dominant Jillaroos. The match is going to be a true test of skill, teamwork and resilience for England and a chance for them to make a statement on the international scene.
With only 31 days to go until 1 March, the world will be watching the England team as they prepare for what looks set to be a legendary game in Las Vegas.
England Women’s squad
Jas Bell (York Valkyrie), Keara Bennett (Leeds Rhinos), Jodie Cunningham (St Helens), Georgie Dagger (York Valkyrie), Anna Davies (Wigan Warriors), Hollie-Mae Dodd (Canberra Raiders), Jenna Foubister (Wigan Warriors), Amy Hardcastle (St Helens), Zoe Harris (St Helens), Shona Hoyle (St Helens), Katie Mottershead (St Helens), Izzy Northrop (Leeds Rhinos), Eboni Partington (York Valkyrie), Tamzin Renouf (York Valkyrie), Georgia Roche (Newcastle Knights), Erin Stott (St Helens), Bella Sykes (Leeds Rhinos), Paige Travis (Parramatta Eels), Vicky Whitfield (St Helens), Liv Wood (York Valkyrie).
Rugby League Las Vegas Festival 2025 – Saturday March 1
- Betfred Super League – Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves (1:30pm PST / 9:30pm GMT), live on Sky Sports
- NRL – Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors (4:00pm PST / Midnight GMT)
- Test Match – Australian Jillaroos vs England Women (6:00pm PST / 2am GMT March 2)
- NRL – Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (8:30pm PST / 4:30am GMT March 2)
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