Cowboys NRLW fullback Fran Goldthorp calls for more English players to follow in her footsteps

Cowboys fullback Fran Goldthorp wants more English players to follow in her footsteps to the NRLW in a bid to strengthen the international game. Read how Australia has elevated her game.

Francesca Goldthorp in action during the round four NRLW match between North Queensland Cowboys and Wests Tigers on August 12, 2023, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Cowboys fullback Fran Goldthorp wants more English players to follow in her footsteps to the NRLW in a bid to strengthen the international game.

Goldthorp seems to improve every week since arriving on Australian shores, highlighted by her 253 running metres last time out against the Tigers.

The 20-year-old England international made the bold decision to move to North Queensland after she was spotted by coach ben Jeffries at the World Cup and she said the decision was one of the best she’s ever made.

“The whole intensity, the skill set, just everything about being in Australia is just 10 times better,” Goldthorp said.

“It’s a lot more relaxed, a lot more chilled, and I’m just very grateful for the position I have and that just makes me come into training and enjoy it even more.

Francesca Goldthorp runs the ball during the round three NRLW match between North Queensland Cowboys and Brisbane Broncos at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, on August 05, 2023, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

“I think that’s definitely something that we as England need to do. I think for us going into the next World Cup we need to bridge that gap and we need to push the competition.

“The likes of Hollie (Dodd) and Roche (Georgia Roche) who are doing well at the minute pushing their skills and showing what they can do.

“That’s what it’s about, learning and pushing that standard and bridging the gap, and hopefully more people will see it and more people now know that it’s capable of happening and I definitely think it’ll start growing from that.”

Goldthorp tucked the ball under her arm for a tireless 20 carries against Wests, breaking five tackles and owning the fourth-fastest play-the-ball speed of her teammates (3.25s).

Francesca Goldthorp is tackled during the round four NRLW match between North Queensland Cowboys and Wests Tigers on August 12, 2023, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

It helps that she’s surrounded by a supporting cast of up and coming superstars in the forms of Cowboys halves Kirra Dibb and Tahlulah Tillett.

Goldthorp credited the Indigenous All Star halves combo for allowing her game to flourish.

“I think it’s easy when you’ve got the players around you, it helps Til (Tillett) being back in – that gave me a bit more freedom to go both sides and just play more open space and just see space, take space,” she said.

“Then obviously having Kirra (Dibb) in the team with how her kicking game has been going, that makes it easier for me on the weekend.

“They’ve worked with each other for a few years and they know how to bounce off each other. They know what areas that they both like to play and I think that definitely helps.

“They’re just really great to work with and it makes my job 10 times easier.”

Goldthorp and her fellow Cowboys are back in action at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday when they take on the Sharks at 11.05am.

Originally published as Cowboys NRLW fullback Fran Goldthorp calls for more English players to follow in her footsteps