England’s women’s rugby team, popularly known as the Red Roses, have unveiled a seasoned 36‑player roster for the upcoming home leg of the inaugural WXV Global Series. Head coach John Mitchell has selected a blend of experienced campaigners and a handful of newcomers, ensuring that the squad not only reflects the depth of talent available in England but also provides opportunities for emerging players to earn their first caps.
The squad is anchored by captain Megan Jones, whose leadership on and off the field has been instrumental in guiding the team through a demanding pre‑season. Collectively, the players bring an impressive total of 1,234 international caps, a testament to the wealth of experience that will be on display throughout the series.
While the majority of the roster consists of seasoned internationals, three athletes—Bryony Field, Hayley Jones and Sophie McQueen—have been included despite not yet having made their senior debut. Their inclusion signals Mitchell’s confidence in their potential and offers them a valuable platform to integrate into the senior set‑up.
The first fixture of the home leg pits England against Australia at the newly‑renamed CorpAcq Stadium on the outskirts of Manchester on Saturday, 12 September. This match will serve as a crucial warm‑up, allowing the Red Roses to test combinations and refine tactics ahead of a high‑stakes encounter with Canada a week later.
The Canada game will be a rematch of the 2025 World Cup final, which England won at Sandy Park in Exeter, adding an extra layer of narrative and anticipation for both players and supporters. Following the Canada clash, the series culminates with a marquee showdown against New Zealand at the iconic Allianz Stadium on Saturday, 26 September. That venue, capable of holding more than 50,000 fans, promises a spectacular atmosphere and a fitting stage for what is expected to be a fiercely contested match between two of the world’s premier women’s rugby nations. Mitchell commented on the squad selection and the preparation period, saying, “We’ve had a very positive pre‑season in terms of the training structures we’ve put in place and the exposure we’ve given to our players.
The girls have worked incredibly hard to improve their connections on the field, which has made us a stronger unit and raised our standards across the board.” He added, “We have been training at a level above the match intensity, with great focus and intensity, and now we have the chance to excite both ourselves and the country with the style of rugby we intend to play in three test matches across England.” He also highlighted the youth of the squad, noting that it is only four weeks old and still has plenty of capacity to grow. “This is an exciting period to get after,” Mitchell said, underscoring the optimism surrounding the team’s prospects. The 2026 season marks the debut of the WXV Global Series, a three‑year competition featuring twelve nations that will remain constant throughout the 2026‑2028 cycle, with no promotion or relegation mechanisms in place. This stability allows each nation to plan long‑term development pathways and focus on building competitive consistency.
Beyond the home leg, the Red Roses will travel to North America in October for matches against Canada and the United States as part of the same series, further testing the squad’s depth and adaptability in different conditions. Below is the full list of forwards and backs selected for the home leg, illustrating the balance of power, skill, and versatility the coaching staff has aimed to achieve: 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 The inclusion of both seasoned veterans and fresh faces reflects a strategic approach: maintain a core of proven performers while gradually integrating new talent to ensure continuity and future success. This blend is expected to provide England with a dynamic and adaptable playing style, capable of adjusting to the varied challenges presented by opponents such as Australia, Canada, and the All Blacks Women.
Fans are encouraged to watch the matches using a Chrome browser for optimal video player compatibility, ensuring the best possible viewing experience. The Red Roses are poised to showcase high‑quality, entertaining rugby that not only aims to secure victories but also to inspire the next generation of female athletes across the nation.