Red Roses Reinforced for Australia Encounter with Returning Injured Players

The Red Roses have announced their lineup for the upcoming Saturday clash against Australia, marking the opening fixture of the home leg of the WXV Global Series. Head coach John Mitchell has introduced five alterations to the squad that faced France in May, a match that secured England’s fifth consecutive Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam.

Two World Cup champions, centre Tatyana Heard and scrum-half Natasha Hunt, have recovered from injury and are back in contention, reclaiming their spots in the starting XV. Their return adds experience and firepower to a side that is already brimming with talent.

Fly-half Holly Aitchison has been handed the honour of earning her 50th cap for England, a milestone that underscores her consistency and composure under pressure. Hooker May Campbell is also named in the starting pack, while the back three is composed of wing Mia Venner alongside Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald and Ellie Kildunne, providing a blend of speed, agility and finishing prowess. The squad also benefits from the availability of Hannah Botterman, who missed the entire Six Nations campaign due to injury, and Morwenna Talling, both of whom have been included among the bench options.

Their presence adds depth and versatility, ensuring the team can adapt to any scenario during the match. Saracens prop Kelsey Clifford has unfortunately been ruled out of the whole WXV series after suffering a hamstring injury. In her place, Liz Crake has been called up to the squad, offering a fresh dynamic to the front row and bolstering the team’s scrummaging options.

The showdown with Australia will take place 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 competition that will feature twelve nations locked in for the 2026‑2028 cycle with no promotion or relegation. This structure aims to provide stability and allow each nation to develop long‑term strategies without the pressure of moving between tiers.

Following the Australia 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, offering another high‑profile encounter against a traditional rival. Beyond the European autumn window, the tour continues in October as England heads to North America, where they will meet Canada again and then the United States as part of the series.

These matches are expected to further cement the Red Roses’ reputation on the global stage and provide valuable experience for the newer members of the squad. 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; 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.

This selection reflects Mitchell’s intent to blend seasoned campaigners with emerging talent, ensuring the team retains its competitive edge while fostering the next generation of England women’s rugby stars. The inclusion of returning players like Heard and Hunt not only restores the team’s core strength but also sends a clear message about the depth of talent available. As the Red Roses step onto the field at CorpAcq Stadium, they do so with a renewed sense of purpose, community connection, and a clear ambition to dominate the inaugural WXV Global Series.