The International Rugby League Board has scrapped the tiering system for Women's nations in a move set to bolster England and New Zealand ahead of RLWC2026.

The decision enables eligible players to move between Australia, England and New Zealand and is designed to grow the women’s game at international level by capitalising on the strength and depth of the NRLW competition.

There are more than 20 players in the NRLW who are eligible for England, in addition to Test trio Hollie-Mae Dodd, Fran Goldthorp and Georgia Roache, who joined the competition after the last World Cup in England in 2022.

Roosters duo Jasmin Strange and Jocelyn Kelleher, and Bulldogs halfback Tayla Preston have already expressed a desire to represent their English heritage and others will now be keen to explore that option.

The Kiwi Ferns could also benefit, with Olivia Kernick, Kennedy Cherrington, Shannon Mato, Corban Baxter, Zahara Temara and Rima Butler now eligible for New Zealand, despite having played for the Jillaroos.

Previously, players who had played for Australia, England or New Zealand were unable to play for either of the other two Tier 1 nations. However, they could play for a Tier 2 nation provided they were eligible.

The removal of the tiering system for Women’s nations means players can now represent any nation for which they qualify through birth or if a parent or grandparent was born in that country. Players continue to be prohibited from representing more than one country in a calendar year.

The change will enable players who have already played for Australia, England or New Zealand and are keen to represent their heritage, including those born in another of those countries to do so. Under the eligibility rules that had been in place until now they were unable to do so if they have played for another Tier 1 nation.

Example 1: A player has played for Australia but she was born in New Zealand and would like to represent her New Zealand heritage. Previously. she could not play for New Zealand as she has already played for Australia. She is now able to do so.

Photo: Jocelyn Kelleher and Jasmin Strange are keen to represent their English heritage. @Instagram

It will also enable young players who may have ambitions to represent Australia, England or New Zealand to play for one of the other two nations if they qualify without jeopardizing their future prospects.

Example 2: A player is yet to play at international level but she is an emerging talent who hopes to one day represent Australia. However, she has English parents and would also like the opportunity to represent England and her family now. Previously, if she was to play for England she would have to forego any future opportunity to play for Australia. Now she can play for England and still represent Australia at a later date.

IRL Chair Troy Grant has been a driving force for the change in a bid to ensure the competitiveness of women’s nations at Rugby League World Cup 2026 and beyond.

“The removal of the tiers for women will enable the game to take advantage of the expanding elite player pool that the NRLW has contributed to and with the development of women’s competitions across the world,” he said.

“It will also expand the available playing pool across many nations to raise competitiveness and close parity gaps. It is a reality that many players are dual eligible and we want to give as many players as possible the opportunity to play in prestigious World Cups and elite international competitions.

“This will help boost the maturity of women’s rugby league and goes hand in hand with the growth in participation across the world.”

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