Paige Travis and Tayla Preston named in Wales World Cup squad Total Rugby League

ST HELENS forward Paige Travis has switched allegiance from England to join Wales’ World Cup squad.

Travis has been included in coach Tom Brindle’s 23-woman squad, as has halfback Tayla Preston, captain of NRLW side Canterbury Bulldogs.

They are two significant boosts for the country’s first Women’s World Cup, in which they face tough group assignments with England (October 17) in Perth, then Samoa (October 23) and Australia (November 1), both in Parramatta.

Super League and four-time Challenge Cup winner Travis earned the last of her nine England caps – including two appearances at the last World Cup of 2022 – in the Las Vegas defeat to Australia in March 2025.

She spent the following season with Parramatta Eels, playing eleven times in the NRLW, before returning to Saints this year.

There is further NRLW experience in the shape of Preston, who has played 48 times in the competition, and young North Queensland Cowboys winger Sian Williams.

In total there are six uncapped players in Brindle’s squad, the others being Warrington Wolves winger Hollie Brussels and Cardiff Demons pair Hannah Bluck and Erin Williams, a back-rower.

Centre Bluck is representing Wales in a fourth different sport, having earned 15 senior international caps in rugby union alongside junior honours in football and basketball.

Cardiff, who play in the second-tier National Championship, have the strongest representation with nine players.

Agnes Wood is named after winning Super League with York Valkyrie, while Kathryn Salter, Emily Hughes, Ffion Lewis and Jade Mullen are all fresh from helping London Broncos win promotion to the top tier.

Wigan Warriors forward Bethan Dainton will lead the side as captain.

Wales squad: Hannah Bluck* (Cardiff Demons), Hollie Brussels* (Warrington Wolves), Leanne Burnell, Katie Carr (both Cardiff Demons), Georgia Cussons (Huddersfield Giants), Bethan Dainton (Wigan Warriors), Lucia Davies, Jasmine Gibbons, Zoe Heeley (all Cardiff Demons), Gracie Hobbs (Huddersfield Giants), Emily Hughes (London Broncos), Frances Layton (Cardiff Demons), Ffion Lewis (London Broncos), Carys Marsh (Wigan Warriors), Dani McGifford (St Helens), Jade Mullen (London Broncos), Tayla Preston* (Canterbury Bulldogs), Amberley Ruck (Cardiff Demons), Kathryn Salter (London Broncos), Paige Travis* (St Helens), Erin Williams* (Cardiff Demons), Siân Williams* (North Queensland Cowboys), Agnes Wood (York Valkyrie). * uncapped players