Jodie Cunningham scored 26 points as England opened their Women’s Rugby League World Cup campaign in Perth with a 70-6 victory over Wales featuring 13 tries on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
The tournament opener at Perth brought together two home nations in Pool A drawn alongside hosts Australia and Samoa. For England, the match carried immediate stakes with defending champions Australia looming large in the same group, making a convincing start essential for Stuart Barrow’s side.
Stuart Barrow leads an English squad featuring experienced leadership alongside new faces. Among the selections were three debutants named ahead of the tournament: Connie Boyd, Hope Millard, and Jasmin Strange. Boyd entered the tournament after being named the Young Player of the Year in the Women’s Super League, while Strange joined the squad as an NRLW grand final winner. Wales manager Tom Brindle selected a 21-player roster featuring Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs captain Tayla Preston alongside heritage selections.
England Rout Wales in Perth
Amelia Brown opened the scoring just three minutes into the contest. Wales briefly found a foothold after an English error gifted territory to former England international Paige Travis—who crossed for a try.
Georgia Wilson scored in the corner, followed by tries from Connie Boyd and Hollie-Mae Dodd, who crossed after Fran Goldthorp was held up near the line. Anna Davies added another score by running more than half the length of the field to touch down under the posts, and Isabel Rowe crossed before the interval. By halftime, England had built an imposing 40-6 lead.
Cunningham Orchestrates Thirteen Tries
A Welsh attacking kick to the corner bounced favorably behind her own line for Brown. Boyd and Davies then wrapped up the scoring with three tries in the final five minutes.
Captain Jodie Cunningham orchestrated the attack alongside her two-try performance, accumulating a 26-point individual haul. Cunningham noted that her side had anticipated a passionate challenge from their opponents.
We knew Wales would come out passionately and energetically, and the first 10-15 minutes were tough, but I am proud of the way our side handled it.
England captain Jodie Cunningham described the result simply as first job done
before turning attention toward the remainder of the pool stage.
England Prepare for Australia Clash
England turn their preparations toward a high-stakes clash against tournament favorites Australia on October 25.
