The England women's rugby team, known as the Red Roses, have announced their lineup for the upcoming clash against Australia, which kicks off the home leg of the WXV Global Series on Saturday. Head coach John Mitchell has opted for a refreshed starting XV, making five alterations compared with the side that secured a fifth consecutive Women's Six Nations Grand Slam by defeating France in May. Two World Cup champions, centre Tatyana Heard and scrum-half Natasha Hunt, have both recovered from injury setbacks and are back in contention, reclaiming their places in the starting fifteen.
Their return adds a wealth of experience and proven skill to a backline that is already brimming with talent. Fly-half Holly Aitchison earns her 50th cap as she steps onto the field, bringing half a century of international experience to the pivotal play‑making role. Hooker May Campbell is also selected, providing a solid presence in the set‑piece, while the back three is completed by wing Mia Venner alongside Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald and Ellie Kildunne, forming a potent attacking trio.
The squad also sees the return of Hannah Botterman, who missed the entirety of the Six Nations campaign due to injury, and Morwenna Talling, both of whom have been named among the bench. Their inclusion offers depth and versatility, ensuring the team can adapt to the dynamic nature of a high‑stakes encounter with the Wallaroos.
Unfortunately, Saracens prop Kelsey Clifford has been ruled out of the whole WXV series after suffering a hamstring injury. In her stead, Liz Crake has been called up to the squad, providing additional options in the front row.
The match will be staged at CorpAcq Stadium, the home ground of the Gallagher Premiership side Sale Sharks. Mitchell, who previously spent two periods with Sale, expressed his enthusiasm for the venue: "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 new competition designed to elevate women's rugby on the world stage. Twelve nations have been locked in for the 2026‑2028 cycle, meaning there will be no promotion or relegation during this period, allowing teams to focus on development and competitive consistency. Following the Australian test, England's schedule remains packed.
The Red Roses will travel to face Canada on September 19 at Sandy Park in Exeter, a repeat of the 2025 World Cup final that saw England emerge victorious. A week later, on September 26, they will take on New Zealand at the Allianz Stadium, providing another high‑profile test against a traditional powerhouse. Later in the year, the team will embark on a tour of North America, playing matches against Canada and the United States in October as part of the series' broader itinerary. These fixtures will not only test the squad's resilience but also help grow the sport's footprint across the Atlantic.
The announced starting XV reads 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; 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. With a blend of seasoned internationals returning from injury, emerging talents earning their first caps, and strategic replacements bolstering the squad, England aims to start the WXV Global Series on a high note. The combination of experienced leadership, fresh enthusiasm, and a supportive home crowd at CorpAcq Stadium sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting and competitive encounter against a strong Australian side.