The Red Roses, England's women’s rugby union team, have unveiled a seasoned 36‑player roster for the home segment of the inaugural WXV Global Series. Head coach John Mitchell has selected a group that blends seasoned internationals with a handful of fresh faces, aiming to showcase depth and experience as they host two of the world’s top sides.
Captaining the side is veteran Megan Jones, whose leadership will be pivotal as the squad collectively boasts an impressive 1,234 international caps. While the majority of the roster are proven performers, Mitchell has also taken a calculated risk by including three uncapped players—Bryony Field, Hayley Jones and Sophie McQueen—who earned their spots through strong domestic form and the promise they have shown in training camps.
The first fixture on this home swing pits England against Australia at the newly‑renamed CorpAcq Stadium, situated on the outskirts of Manchester, on Saturday 12 September. The match will serve as a litmus test for the squad’s cohesion and the effectiveness of Mitchell’s pre‑season program.
A week later, the Red Roses will face Canada at Sandy Park in Exeter, recreating the dramatic showdown of the 2025 World Cup final. This encounter offers both a chance for redemption and an opportunity to fine‑tune tactics ahead of the series’ climax. The series will conclude with a marquee showdown against New Zealand’s Black Ferns at the iconic Allianz Stadium on Saturday 26 September. Expected to draw more than 50,000 spectators, the match promises to be a showcase of the highest calibre of women’s rugby and a fitting finale to England’s home campaign.
Mitchell praised the preparation period, stating, "Our pre‑season has been exceptionally positive. The training intensity and the exposure we have given to each player have allowed the girls to deepen their on‑field connections, raising the overall standard of the team.
We have been training above the level of competition, with a focus on intensity and skill development. Now we have the chance to excite both ourselves and the nation with the style of rugby we intend to play across three Test matches on home soil." He added, "This squad is only four weeks old, and there is still a lot of potential to tap into.
It is an exciting period for us, and we are eager to see how the team performs under the pressure of a home crowd and against world‑class opposition." The 2026 season marks the debut of the WXV Global Series, a three‑year competition featuring twelve nations that will remain constant through the 2026‑2028 cycle, eliminating promotion and relegation for the duration. Following the home leg, the Red Roses will travel to North America for a tour of Canada and the United States in October, further testing their adaptability and resilience. Below is the full squad list, 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 both established veterans and promising newcomers reflects Mitchell’s strategic vision: to maintain a high level of performance while also building a pipeline for future success. By blending experience with youthful energy, England hopes to not only dominate the home leg but also lay a solid foundation for the remainder of the Global Series and beyond.
The upcoming matches will be a true test of the squad’s depth, adaptability, and the coaching staff’s ability to integrate new talent into a cohesive unit.