Jasmin Strange's withdrawal from the England squad due to a knee injury has been described as a "devastating blow" for their World Cup ambitions, according to head coach Stuart Barrow. The Sydney Roosters second-row forward made a notable debut, scoring a try in England's impressive 70-6 victory over Wales in their World Cup opener.

The 23-year-old, who has a family connection to Yorkshire, was one of five NRLW players included in Barrow's roster for the upcoming match against reigning champions Australia in Perth. Barrow expressed the team's disappointment, stating, "It was almost a freak accident" during a defensive session when Strange suffered the injury. He emphasized that the loss has affected the squad's morale, saying, "It flatlined the group and it flatlined the coaching staff."

In response to the injury, Barrow confirmed that Lucy Murray from Leeds Rhinos will step in to replace Strange this weekend. He remains optimistic about the squad's depth, noting, "We brought 23 players who are all competing for shirts, so we are confident we can cover that loss."

Strange's performance had positioned her as a crucial player for the new-look England side, which has undergone significant changes following their 90-4 defeat to the Jillaroos in March 2025. The team aims to rally around Strange as she returns to camp, showing their support during this challenging time.