The Red Roses, under the guidance of head coach John Mitchell, have unveiled a seasoned 36‑player roster to represent England in the home leg of the inaugural WXV Global Series. This selection features a substantial contingent of 25 athletes who were part of the World Cup‑winning squad, underscoring the depth of experience that the team brings to the competition. Captained by the dynamic Megan Jones, the group collectively boasts an impressive tally of 1,234 international caps, reflecting a wealth of knowledge and on‑field savvy.
Among the names on the list are three players who have yet to earn their first senior cap – Bryony Field, Hayley Jones and Sophie McQueen – who have been given the opportunity to join the senior set‑up and gain exposure at the highest level. England’s opening fixture of the home leg will see them travel to CorpAcq Stadium, situated on the fringes of Manchester, where they will take on Australia on Saturday, 12 September.
This match will be followed a week later by a highly anticipated encounter with Canada at Sandy Park in Exeter, a venue that will host a repeat of the thrilling 2025 World Cup final that saw the two nations clash for the championship. Fans are encouraged to view the accompanying video highlights using the Chrome browser to ensure optimal playback and accessibility.
The climax of the home series arrives on Saturday, 26 September, when the Red Roses face off against long‑time rivals New Zealand at the iconic Allianz Stadium. The match is expected to draw a crowd of more than 50,000 spectators, providing a spectacular stage for the players to showcase their skills and for supporters to witness a marquee showdown.
Speaking after the squad announcement, Mitchell praised the progress made during the pre‑season period. “We have had a very positive build‑up, both in terms of the training environment and the exposure we have given to our players,” he said. “The squad has worked tirelessly to strengthen the bonds between each other, which in turn has made us a more cohesive unit and raised our standards across the board.
“We have been training at a level that exceeds the intensity of match play, and now we have the chance to translate that effort into exciting performances that will capture the imagination of the nation across three Test matches on home soil.” Mitchell added that the squad is still in its infancy, noting that the group has only been together for four weeks. “There is still a lot of potential left in the tank.
This is an exhilarating period for us, and we are eager to see how the team evolves as we move forward.” The 2026 season marks the debut edition of the WXV Global Series, a competition that will feature twelve nations locked in for the 2026‑2028 cycle without any promotion or relegation mechanisms. This structure aims to provide stability and a clear pathway for the participating countries to develop their women’s rugby programs. Following the home leg, the Red Roses will continue their campaign with a tour of North America, taking on Canada and the United States in October as part of the series schedule. Below is a breakdown of the selected forwards and backs: Forwards: - Sarah Bern - Hannah Botterman - Delaney Burns - Abi Burton - May Campbell - Mackenzie Carson - Kelsey Clifford - Amy Cokayne - Maddie Feaunati - Bryony Field (uncapped) - Haidee Head - Lilli Ives‑Campion - Hayley Jones (uncapped) - Sadia Kabeya - Haineala Lutui - Alex Matthews - Sophie McQueen (uncapped) - Maud Muir - Marlie Packer - Demelza Short - Morwenna Talling Backs: - Holly Aitchison - Jess Breach - Millie David - Zoe Harrison - Tatyana Heard - Natasha Hunt - Megan Jones (captain) - Ellie Kildunne - Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald - Lucy Packer - Flo Robinson - Helena Rowland - Emma Sing - Mia Venner - Bo Westcombe‑Evans This extensive roster reflects a blend of seasoned internationals and emerging talent, positioning England to compete fiercely throughout the series and to continue building momentum ahead of future tournaments.
The combination of experience, fresh enthusiasm, and strategic preparation promises an exciting chapter for the Red Roses and their supporters.