England’s women’s rugby team, known as the Red Roses, have unveiled a seasoned 36‑player roster for the upcoming home leg of the WXV Global Series. The selection, announced by head coach John Mitchell, features a substantial contingent of 25 athletes who were part of the World Cup‑winning squad, underscoring the blend of experience and continuity that the coaching staff is aiming to bring to the tournament. The squad is captained by the formidable Megan Jones, whose leadership on and off the field has been a cornerstone of the team’s recent successes.
Collectively, the players bring an impressive total of 1,234 international caps, a testament to the depth of experience within the group. In addition to the seasoned campaigners, Mitchell has also taken a calculated risk by introducing three uncapped talents—Bryony Field, Hayley Jones and Sophie McQueen—who earned their first call‑ups based on strong performances at domestic level and the potential they have shown in training camps.
The first fixture of the home leg will see England face Australia at the newly‑renamed CorpAcq Stadium, situated on the outskirts of Manchester, on Saturday 12 September. This match will serve as a crucial warm‑up and an opportunity for the coaching staff to assess how the new combinations gel under pressure. A week later, the Red Roses will meet Canada at Sandy Park in Exeter, a venue that will evoke memories of the 2025 World Cup final, which saw England triumph over the Canadians in a tightly contested encounter.
The scheduling of these two high‑profile games provides a narrative arc that mirrors the team’s recent journey from world champions to defending champions. Fans are encouraged to watch the matches using the Chrome browser, which offers a more accessible video player and ensures a smoother streaming experience for those following the action online.
The series will culminate with a marquee showdown against New Zealand’s Black Ferns at Allianz Stadium on Saturday 26 September. That fixture is expected to draw a crowd of over 50,000 spectators, highlighting the growing popularity of women’s rugby in the United Kingdom and the significance of the WXV Global Series as a showcase for the sport’s elite.
In his post‑selection comments, Mitchell praised the pre‑season preparations, noting that the team has benefitted from intensive training sessions and exposure to a variety of playing styles. “It’s been a positive pre‑season in the way we have trained and the exposure we have given to players.
The girls have worked hard to elevate their connections, making us stronger, and have driven high standards,” he said. He added that the squad has been operating at a level above the standard game intensity, which should translate into a dynamic and exciting brand of rugby for supporters across the country. “We have trained above the game level with great intensity and now we have an opportunity to excite ourselves, and the country, by the way we play rugby in three Test matches across the country,” Mitchell explained.
He also emphasized that the current group is still in its infancy, with only four weeks of collective training behind them, and that there is ample room for growth as the season progresses. “This squad is only four weeks old; there is plenty in the tank.
This is an exciting period to get after,” he concluded. The 2026 season marks the inaugural edition of the WXV Global Series, a competition designed to provide a regular, high‑quality platform for the world’s top women’s rugby nations.
Twelve countries have been locked in for the 2026‑2028 cycle, with the format deliberately excluding promotion and relegation to ensure stability and long‑term planning for each participating union. The Red Roses will continue their tour in October, travelling to Canada and the United States as part of the series, further broadening the reach of the tournament and offering fans across North America a chance to witness top‑tier women’s rugby live.
Below is the full list of players named for the home leg, divided by position. The forwards bring a mix of power, mobility, and set‑piece expertise, featuring names such as Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman, Delaney Burns, Abi Burton, May Campbell, Mackenzie Carson, Kelsey Clifford, Amy Cokayne, Maddie Feaunati, Bryony Field, Haidee Head, Lilli Ives Campion, Hayley Jones, Sadia Kabeya, Haineala Lutui, Alex Matthews, Sophie McQueen, Maud Muir, Marlie Packer, Demelza Short and Morwenna Talling. The backline is equally strong, with play‑makers and finishers like Holly Aitchison, Jess Breach, Millie David, Zoe Harrison, Tatyana Heard, Natasha Hunt, captain Megan Jones, Ellie Kildunne, Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald, Lucy Packer, Flo Robinson, Helena Rowland, Emma Sing, Mia Venner and Bo Westcombe‑Evans providing the attacking spark. Overall, the selection reflects a strategic balance between retaining the core that delivered World Cup glory and injecting fresh talent to keep the squad dynamic and forward‑looking.
As the Red Roses prepare to host two of the sport’s powerhouses before taking on the Black Ferns in front of a massive home crowd, expectations are high that England will not only defend its title but also set new standards for the growth and visibility of women’s rugby worldwide.