York City Knights are proud to confirm that four members of the Betfred Women’s Super League winning Ladies squad have been included in England’s 24-player squad for this year’s World Cup.
Hollie Dodd, Grace Field, Tara Jane Stanley and Olivia Wood have been selected, the latter of whom made their international debut earlier this season.
Dodd was this weekend named as this year’s Betfred Women’s Super League Young Player of the Year while the impressive Stanley was named Woman of Steel after an outstanding first year with the Club.
The League Leaders’ Shield winning Knights’ four players will be joined by eleven from the third-placed St Helens team while York’s Grand Final opponents Leeds Rhinos have seven inclusions. The final two players selected come from the Wigan Warriors squad.
England Women head coach Craig Richards says:
“The process to select the final squad ahead of the Rugby League World Cup has been a difficult one, but I am confident I have picked the strongest squad available to me.
“I think we’re in a really privileged position to have some experienced players in the squad such as captain Emily Rudge who is heading into her fourth Rugby League World Cup, our all-time top try-scorer Amy Hardcastle, and players like Jodie Cunningham, Courtney Winfield-Hill and Tara-Jane Stanley.
“In contrast, we also have some very exciting younger players included with the likes of Hollie Dodd, Fran Goldthorp and Zoe Hornby.
“With just over a month before we kick it all off at Headingley Stadium against Brazil we are excited, focused and determined to make the most of this huge opportunity for Women’s Rugby League.”
England’s opener against Brazil on Tuesday 1 November is already guaranteed to be watched by a record attendance for a Women’s Rugby League fixture. They will then face Canada at Wigan’s DW Stadium on Saturday 5 November before a final group stage fixture back in Leeds against Papua New Guinea on Wednesday 9 November. Tickets are available online at rlwc2021.com.
England Women World Cup Squad
Dannielle Anderson, Caitlin Beevers, Keara Bennett (all Leeds Rhinos), Leah Burke, Jodie Cunningham (both St Helens), Hollie Dodd, Grace Field (both York City Knights), Fran Goldthorp (Leeds Rhinos), Amy Hardcastle, Zoe Harris (both St Helens), Zoe Hornby (Leeds Rhinos), Shona Hoyle, Tara Jones (both St Helens), Vicky Molyneux (Wigan Warriors), Carrie Roberts (St Helens), Georgia Roche (Leeds Rhinos), Emily Rudge (St Helens), Tara-Jane Stanley (York City Knights), Beth Stott, Paige Travis (both St Helens), Courtney Winfield-Hill (Leeds Rhinos), Vicky Whitfield (St Helens), Georgia Wilson (Wigan Warriors), Olivia Wood (York City Knights).
