The Western Force go into 2026 chasing an elusive maiden Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s title after finishing in the top four las year.
Their semi-final exit to the Waratahs at Leichhardt Oval would sit fresh in the memory banks for many but strong pre-season form will have the Force confident of breaking an eight-year drought.
Watch every second of the 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Women's season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
Force coach Dylan Parsons re-signed on a two-year contract in December, ensuring stability at the top in a program that continues to develop talent and improve at all levels.
The Force enter 2026 with a new-look squad after more than a dozen moved on from last year’s campaign.
Parsons has, however, retained a core group of senior players while adding some youth and firepower that will be looking to go deep into the finals this season.
A total of 13 players boast international experience in the squad while the fresh faces include Super Rugby Aupiki pair Kahurangi Sturmey and Atawhai Hotene, and local talent Sofaia Talemaira and 16-year-old Kylah-Rey Tuheke Kupa.
Among the departures include Wallaroos veteran Ashley Marsters, halfback Georgia Cormick and back-rower Tamika Jones.
Katalina Amosa, Zoe Elliott, Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Chiharu Nezuka, Alapeta Ngauamo, Hannah Palelei, Allana Sikimeti, Braxton Walker, Nami Dickson, Michaela Leonard, Sera Naiqama, Seina Saito, Anneka Stephens, Kahurangi Sturmey, Sofaia Talemaira, Pia Tapsell, Taylor Waterson.
Ai Dickson, Grace Freeman, Nicole Ledington, Samantha Wood, Atawhai Hotene, Ngamihi Monk, Trilleen Pomare, Cecilia Smith, Kylah-Rey Tuheke Kupa, Adi Vani Buleki, Halley Derera, Teiana Mainwaring, Ella Pietsch, Brooklyn Teki Joyce, Aiysha Wigley.
The Force had six players part of the Pacific Four series campaign, including debutantes Nicole Ledington and Brooklyn Teki Joyce. Ledington started at flyhalf in three of four Test matches and enjoyed a strong debut against Fijiana.
Cecilia Smith, Michaela Leonard and Samantha Wood got plenty of minutes under their belt throughout the series and along with trial matches should be close to peak match fitness ahead of the Super season.
Prop Zoe Elliott was part of the Wallaroos squad and although she didn’t debut will take plenty of confidence and experience into the Force environment.
Likewise centre Ngamihi Monk has had a taste of the Wallaroos space in the pre-season and is one on the rise.
Force co-captain Trilleen Pomare, Alapeta Ngauamo, Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke and Sera Naiqama are all former Wallaroos squad members who bring an enormous amount of international leadership to the group.
The Force received an early blow when World Cup recruit Katalina Amosa suffered an ACL injury during a Wallaroos training camp in February.
Amosa won't feature for the Force or Wallaroos this year but the former Brumby will be well-supported in her rehabilitation to get back on the field in 2027.
Grace Freeman is on the comeback trail from a hip injury and although didn't play a trial game is expected back at some stage during the Super Rugby Women’s season.
Aiysha Wigley. The 23-year-old fullback has missed the past two seasons due to an ACL injury but has returned to the field and started strong in the side’s pre-season trials.
Wigley was born in Surrey, England, but moved to Australia in her youth and took up rugby after eight years doing gymnastics.
Her inspiring return to the field has not been lost on the coaching staff or teammates with Wigley making an immediate impact at fullback for the side.
Japanese import Seina Saito arrives to Perth with a decent resume under her belt.
The three-time World Cup representative has 53 Test appearances for the Cherry Blossoms and more recently played for the Chiefs Manawa in Super Rugby Aupiki.
Her strength and leadership at flanker is well known but a stint at hooker during the trials in Amosa's absence could be a sign of things to come for the veteran this season.
Allana Sikimeti. The contracted Wallaroo missed selection for the Pacific Four series with injury issues and is hoping the worst is now behind her.
Given the Wallaroos’ woes with its tight five against international teams, a firing Sikimeti can help for the future.
An emerging forward who made her international debut for the Wallaroos in 2024, the time is now for Sikimeti to go to the next level.
Her trial form has showed good signs with a big campaign with the Force potentially putting her back on the national radar by season's end.
"We're pleased with how the pre-season has gone with two trial games and getting through relatively unscathed. We've got more time now to prepare for the Fiji trip and that will be a big match to start our season. We know the areas needed for us to improve on last year and build on what we've been doing and have an extra week to get that right. We are confident in ourselves and what we can do." - Force coach Dylan Parsons
The Force will have an extra week of training to start their Super Rugby Women's campaign with a Round 1 bye but will then have a long road trip to Nadi for a tough contest against the Fijian Drua.
Back-to-back home games can set the Force up for the finals before a last round trip to Canberra's Viking Park for a clash with the Brumbies.
- Round 1 – Bye
- Round 2 – Saturday 13 June: Drua v Force at Prince Charles Park, Nadi (12:05pm AWST / 2:05pm AEST)
- Round 3 – Saturday 20 June: Force v Reds at Wanneroo Rugby Club – Field 1 (2:05pm AWST / 4:05pm AEST)
- Round 4 – Saturday 27 June: Force v Waratahs at Tompkins Park, Perth (2:05pm AWST / 4:05pm AEST)
- Round 5 – Sunday 5 July: Brumbies v Force at Viking Park, Canberra (12:00pm AWST / 2:05pm AEST)
