The Red Roses have announced their lineup for the upcoming clash against Australia on Saturday, marking the opening encounter of the home leg of the WXV Global Series. Head coach John Mitchell has introduced five alterations to the side that previously faced France in May, a match in which England secured their fifth consecutive Women's Six Nations Grand Slam.
Two World Cup champions, centre Tatyana Heard and scrum-half Natasha Hunt, have recovered from injuries and have been reinstated into the XV, reclaiming their spots alongside the rest of the squad. Fly‑half Holly Aitchison has been selected to earn her 50th cap for England, while hooker May Campbell joins the pack, and the back three now features wing Mia Venner alongside Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald and Ellie Kildunne. The experienced prop Hannah Botterman, who missed the entire Six Nations campaign, is back in contention, and Morwenna Talling also returns to the matchday squad as a replacement option.
Unfortunately, Saracens prop Kelsey Clifford will miss the whole WXV series due to a hamstring problem, prompting the call‑up of Liz Crake to fill the vacancy. The Saturday showdown with the Wallaroos will be staged at CorpAcq Stadium, the home ground of the Gallagher Premiership side Sale Sharks. Mitchell, who previously spent two periods with Sale, reflected on the significance of playing in the north‑west: "I have very fond memories of the north west from my time with Sale Sharks so it's awesome to be able to take our game to this part of the country." He continued, "Playing in a different part of the country allows us to be present in the community and keeps the game healthy.
You've not only got to be visible, but if you can actually be close to your community, I think that's even better. Connection is such an important part of life, but particularly in sport. The girls have worked hard in pre‑season to deepen their bond and that will make us stronger on the field. We're excited to get our WXV Global Series under way and aim to excite and entertain." The 2026 season marks the inaugural edition of the WXV Global Series, a competition featuring twelve nations that will remain fixed for the 2026‑2028 cycle, with no promotion or relegation mechanisms in place.
Following the Australia test, England's schedule includes a repeat of the 2025 World Cup final against Canada at Sandy Park in Exeter on 19 September, before a high‑stakes encounter with New Zealand at Allianz Stadium on 26 September. Later in the autumn, the Red Roses will continue their tour, taking on Canada and the United States as part of the series in October. The starting XV for the Australia match is as follows: 15 Ellie Kildunne, 14 Mia Venner, 13 Megan Jones (captain), 12 Tatyana Heard, 11 Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald, 10 Holly Aitchison, 9 Natasha Hunt; forwards 1 Mackenzie Carson, 2 May Campbell, 3 Sarah Bern, 4 Delaney Burns, 5 Lilli Ives Campion, 6 Abi Burton, 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Maddie Feaunati. The bench includes 16 Bryony Field, 17 Hannah Botterman, 18 Maud Muir, 19 Morwenna Talling, 20 Marlie Packer, 21 Lucy Packer, 22 Zoe Harrison, and 23 Helena Rowland.
The inclusion of Heard and Hunt adds a wealth of experience to the backline, both having contributed to England's World Cup triumphs and bringing a blend of tactical acumen and defensive solidity. Aitchison's 50th cap is a milestone that underscores her consistency at fly‑half, where her game‑management and kicking precision will be crucial against a physically robust Australian side. Coach Mitchell's decision to rotate five players reflects his desire to maintain freshness and to test squad depth ahead of the demanding schedule that lies ahead. The return of Botterman, a powerful front‑row presence, offers additional options in the scrum, while the promotion of younger talents such as May Campbell and Maud Muir signals a forward‑looking approach to building a sustainable national team.
The WXV Global Series itself represents a significant step forward for women's rugby, providing a structured, high‑profile platform for the top twelve nations to compete regularly. By fixing the participating teams for a three‑year cycle, World Rugby aims to foster stability, enable long‑term planning, and encourage investment in women's programs across the globe.
The absence of promotion and relegation in this inaugural phase ensures that each nation can focus on development without the immediate pressure of dropping out of the competition. England's ambitions in the series are clear: to assert their dominance early, build momentum, and ultimately contend for the championship title. The match against Australia offers a crucial test of the team's cohesion, especially after the integration of returning players and the introduction of fresh faces. Mitchell's emphasis on community connection and visibility reflects a broader strategy to grow the women's game domestically, leveraging high‑profile fixtures in diverse regions to inspire the next generation of players.
In summary, the Red Roses head into the Australia test with a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talent, bolstered by the return of key injured players. The match at CorpAcq Stadium will not only be a pivotal moment in the WXV Global Series but also an opportunity to showcase the growing depth and excitement of women's rugby in England and beyond.