England coach Stuart Barrow is set to meet with NRLW stars keen to represent their English heritage during a trip to Australia ahead of Rugby League World Cup 2026.
Barrow will attend this weekend's NRLW Magic Round in Wagga Wagga, where he plans to watch the Test trio of Fran Goldthorp, Georgia Roche and Hollie-Mae Dodd, as well as other players who eligible for England.
Among those who have expressed an ambition to play for England are Sydney Roosters second rower Jasmin Strange and playmaker Jocelyn Kelleher, Bulldogs halfback Tayla Preston and Wests Tigers fullback Caitlin Turnbull.
“I’m meeting some players to have some chats and also have a little look at some people on that (Magic) weekend as well,” Barrow said.
“I will pick thoroughly on form, but I need to think what will make us better when we get there as well. That has always been the case. We said we would look at what will make this group better.
“If it will enhance this group, without stifling someone’s progress…”
Barrow, who previously indicated he wanted only players willing to commit to England beyond the World Cup, said last weekend's 38-4 defeat of France in Toulouse would not sway his decisions on who to bring in.
England play their opening two World Cup games at Perth's HBF Park on October 17 against Wales and on October 24 against Australia, who triumphed 90-4 in their last Test in Vegas last year.
England will then travel to Wollongong to take on Fetu Samoa on October 30 in a match likely to decide a place in the World Cup semi-finals.
All three matches are double headers with England Men, who play Tonga, France and Papua New Guinea.
While in Australia, Barrow will visit training grounds and hotel accommodation for the England Women's team in Perth and Wollongong.
With the Test in Toulouse played over 35-minute halves to acclimatise for World Cup conditions, England appeared to assert its superiority between the 17th minute and halftime by piling on 28 points.
However, they got bogged down again in the second half with France unfortunate not to post at least one try.
“It was a real poor start from us, to be honest,” said Barrow. “What was pleasing is we had to defend a lot and I thought we defended really really well on our line collectively, back-to-back sets that well collectively to hold them out but very sloppy with the ball.
“I think there was some people who were a little overawed and that’s fine at international level when you make your debut. They’ll go away and they’ll learn from that.”
Winger Elise Derbyshire, who scored a brace of tries, was on of five debutants, along with Mary Coleman, Megan Williams, Mia Atherton and Evie Cousins.
Despite the loss, it was a step forward for France under new coach Alan Walsh. France have never beaten their cross-channel rivals.
“Our first 15 minutes was close to perfect except for a couple of penalties against us, the players did everything we asked of them," Walsh said.
"Elisa Akpa had an excellent game and worked tirelessly, Lisa Diraison kicked and organised the team well and defended extremely impressively against their very strong left edge, while Perrine Monsarrat worked really hard and fullback Manon Samarra ran well in attack. I'm extremely proud of the full team.”
France will continue their World Cup preparations this weekend with a Test in Perpignan against Nigeria, who are coached by Sydney Roosters assistant Melissa Spero.
France Women are the only team to play in all three World Cup host countries and face Papua New Guinea Orchids in Port Moresby on October 17, New Zealand in Christchurch on October 25 and Fiji on the Gold Coast on October 31.
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