England’s women’s rugby team, the Red Roses, have unveiled a seasoned 36‑player roster for the home leg of the inaugural WXV Global Series. Head coach John Mitchell has blended experience with fresh talent, selecting 25 athletes who were part of the World Cup‑winning side, while also giving a nod to three uncapped players – Bryony Field, Hayley Jones and Sophie McQueen – who have impressed in the training camps.
Captained by the dynamic Megan Jones, the squad boasts an impressive collective tally of 1,234 international caps, a testament to the depth of experience within the group. This wealth of match‑play history is expected to provide a solid foundation as the team embarks on a demanding schedule that will see them face three of the world’s best sides on English soil. The opening fixture is set for Saturday, 12 September, when the Red Roses will host Australia at the newly‑renamed CorpAcq Stadium on the outskirts of Manchester.
The match will serve as a litmus test for Mitchell’s selections, offering a chance to gauge how the blend of seasoned campaigners and newcomers gel under pressure. A week later, on 19 September, England will meet Canada at Sandy Park in Exeter. This encounter is a replay of the 2025 World Cup final, a game that ended in a hard‑fought victory for the English side and will undoubtedly add an extra layer of intrigue for supporters. Fans are encouraged to view the live streams using the Chrome browser, which provides a more accessible video player for a smoother viewing experience.
The final home match of the series promises to be a marquee event: on Saturday, 26 September, the Red Roses will travel to Allianz Stadium to take on New Zealand in front of a crowd that could exceed 50,000 spectators. The All Blacks women’s team are perennial powerhouses, and this showdown is expected to be a showcase of the highest calibre of women’s rugby.
Mitchell reflected on the preparation period, saying, "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. 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. This squad is only four weeks old; there is plenty in the tank.
This is an exciting period to get after." The 2026 season marks the debut of the WXV Global Series, a competition designed to provide regular, high‑quality test matches for the top twelve women’s rugby nations. The participating countries are locked in for the 2026‑2028 cycle, meaning there will be no promotion or relegation during this period, allowing each side to focus on development and performance without the pressure of moving between tiers.
Following the home leg, the Red Roses will continue their campaign abroad, touring Canada and the United States in October as part of the same series. These fixtures will give the squad valuable experience against North American opposition and will test the adaptability of the team as they shift from familiar home conditions to the varied environments overseas. Below is the full list of players selected for the series, divided by position: 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 three newcomers alongside a core of World Cup veterans signals Mitchell’s intent to blend continuity with fresh perspectives.
While the seasoned players bring a wealth of tactical knowledge and composure, the uncapped athletes are expected to inject enthusiasm and a hunger to prove themselves on the international stage. As the Red Roses prepare to kick off the home leg of the WXV Global Series, the excitement among supporters is palpable. The combination of high‑profile matchups, a historic competition format, and a squad that balances experience with emerging talent sets the scene for a memorable chapter in English women’s rugby. The team’s performance over the next three weeks will not only shape their standing in the series but also provide a glimpse into the future trajectory of the sport in the United Kingdom.