The road to the 2025 Women's World Cup is underway, as the Wallaroos head into camp in June ahead of their July Tests, serving as their final prep for the event.
Tests against the Blacks Ferns and Wales loom, and with the World Cup set to be bigger than ever, the competition for spots in the national side has never been stronger.
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Rugby.com.au presents 'Road to England': A position-by-position breakdown of the key contenders and bolters ahead of the squad selection later in the year.
Today we move onto the loose forwards, with likely five spots available given the make-ups of previous World Cup squads.
The loose forwards, arguably more than any other position, represent some of the best depth for Jo Yapp's side, with several heavily capped stars and the current captain.
It makes Ruby Anderson's meteoric rise in 2025 all the more impressive.
Called into the WXV 2 squad last year - but not getting on the field - Anderson's strong form in Super Rugby Women's for the Waratahs has been rewarded with her debut earlier this year in Canberra.
While she only has two caps to her name so far, the 18-year-old has plenty of time to learn under the most experienced players to wear the jersey, and will likely be a valuable support player in England.
One of the most decorated players to wear the Wallaroo jersey since she made her debut in 2018, Emily Chancellor's ticket to England is hers to lose at this point.
Stints at Harlequins in England have proven critical for her development, with the 27-capped Wallaroo developing into one of the key leaders in the side.
Throw in five Super Rugby Women's titles to her name domestically, and Chancellor is a heavy chance to make her second World Cup in Wallaroo gold.
Some have credited John Eales as being considered the quintessential Wallaby, and if that's the case, the Wallaroos now have a new contender to compete with Shannon Parry and Cheryl McAfee - and her name is Ash Marsters.
The most capped Wallaroo of all time is only getting better and better, leading from the front with her physicality and rugby smarts.
With two World Cups and a blossoming 11-year career already under her belt, plus tries against New Zealand and the USA in the Pacific Four Series, Marsters is all but certain to be on the plane to England.
Already named as the Wallaroo captain for the 2025 season, Siokapesi Palu looks all but set to take the field at the World Cup later this year.
One of the key leaders behind a blossoming Brumbies Women side, the 20-capped Wallaroo has shared captaincy duties with Michaela Leonard since last year's Pacific Four Series.
With that period including a maiden title for the side, her role as a member of the Wallaroo leadership team will only grow beyond 2025.
It has been a breakout 12 months for Wallaroo number 200, Tabua Tuinakauvadra.
Having to fill massive Piper Duck-shaped shoes for the WXV 2 tour, Tuinakauvadra has featured in every match since, bringing game busting attacking ability and serving as a handy foil for the likes of Marsters and Palu.
The Brumby has continued her form in Super Rugby Women's - and given she has flourished under Yapp's coaching style, she will likely be a heavy chance to be on the plane.
Included in her first Wallaroo training squad in April this year, Zoe Hanna is on the radar for a national call up - having also featured in the Australia A side that played Samoa last year.
Hanna will be using her club form at the Bull Sharks to continue to push for higher honours, but should injuries to other stars occur, it may push this talented Queensland Red up in line for a debut.
While having an encouraging start in Super Rugby Women's, Bella Nasser has made herself unavailable for the Wallaroos after a long season in the SVNS World Series
While it is possible that may change between now and the start of the World Cup in August, Nasser will have a lot of work to do to make the squad.
The youngest ever Wallaroo captain, Piper Duck's unlucky run of injuries has been arguably the most frustrating of any player in the national side - with her missing out on the Super Rugby Women's final and the Pacific Four Series with a shoulder injury.
However, Duck has an opportunity to force her way back into the side in the final three Tests in July - which could see her make her second World Cup.
Leilani Nathan is facing an uphill battle to make the World Cup squad, with the talented 13-capped Wallaroo suffering a serious knee injury during the Super Rugby Women's season.
It comes as a major setback after rediscovering her strong form this year, suffering a similar injury in 2024 that also saw her miss the WXV 2 tournament squad.
Lastly, Sevens star Sariah Paki has also made herself unavailable for selection following the recent completion of the World Sevens Series season.
She will likely fall in the camp similar to fellow star Bella Nasser, and will have a lot of work to do should her availability change.
