JASMIN STRANGE MISSES REST OF WORLD CUP WITH KNEE INJURY

Jasmin Strange will miss the rest of England’s Rugby League World Cup campaign after injuring her knee in training on Tuesday. England head coach Stuart Barrow said a scan confirmed the injury after Strange hurt her knee while carrying the ball during a defensive session. Barrow called her withdrawal a “devastating blow” for the squad. The Sydney Roosters second-row forward scored a try on her England debut in a 70-6 win over Wales last weekend.

Leeds Rhinos second-row forward Lucy Murray will replace Strange against Australia in Perth on Saturday, Barrow said. England do not plan to call up another player for the remainder of the tournament. Strange had been due to face Sydney Roosters team-mate Jocelyn Kelleher in the match against Australia. Barrow said Strange would return to the England camp and that the squad had resumed preparations after receiving her scan results.

Other teams have also lost players to injury during the tournament. Samoa centre Sarina Masaga will miss the remaining matches after injuring her Achilles tendon against Australia; Anastasia Leatupue will take her place. Fiji have replaced Tamika Jones with Keilani Manu after Jones injured her shoulder against New Zealand. New Zealand have called up Mackenzie Wiki after Shanice Parker injured her calf in training before that match. Samoa forward Sienna Lofipo is also unavailable after breaking her jaw in a Titans match against Brisbane and undergoing surgery.