Jasmin Strange ruled out of England World Cup campaign with knee injury

Jasmin Strange has been ruled out of England's Women's Rugby League World Cup campaign with a knee injury, BBC Sport reported on Wednesday. Head coach Stuart Barrow confirmed that Leeds Rhinos forward Lucy Murray will replace the Sydney Roosters second-rower against Australia, with no additional player being called into the tournament squad.

Barrow told the BBC that Strange was injured while carrying the ball during a defensive training session. She stepped and suffered what he described as a serious knee injury. A scan subsequently confirmed the setback. The report did not specify the precise diagnosis or give a recovery timetable beyond her withdrawal from the World Cup.

The coach said the incident had affected both players and staff after Strange had settled quickly into the group. He nevertheless expressed confidence in the options within his original 23-player squad. Murray had already been close to selection, Barrow said, and would take over Strange's back-row position directly rather than prompting a wider reshuffle.

Strange's England debut had come in the 70-6 opening victory over Wales in Perth. The Rugby Football League's match report records that she scored after half-time as England extended a 40-6 interval lead. Isabel Rowe finished with 26 points, combining two tries with nine goals to equal the England women's record for an individual international appearance.

That official report also highlighted hat-tricks for Connie Boyd and Anna Davies, with Boyd marking her own international debut. Amelia Brown contributed two tries, including a long-distance score. England's next assignment is against Australia at HBF Park, the same venue where they began their tournament with the comprehensive win over Wales.

NRL.com's squad announcement placed Strange among five NRLW players selected by Barrow, alongside Hope Millard, Georgia Roche, Fran Goldthorp and Hollie-Mae Dodd. The 23-year-old qualified through her Yorkshire-born mother, Adele, and had chosen England despite also being eligible for Australia and New Zealand. Her selection fulfilled an ambition to represent that part of her family heritage, but her first World Cup campaign has now ended after one appearance.