The England women's rugby team, known as the Red Roses, have announced their lineup for the upcoming home fixture against Australia, the opening clash of the WXV Global Series. Head coach John Mitchell has opted to make five alterations to the side that secured a fifth straight Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam in May when they defeated France.
Two World Cup champions, centre Tatyana Heard and scrum-half Natasha Hunt, have both recovered from injuries and are back in contention, reclaiming their spots in the XV. Their return adds experience and firepower to a backline that will be keen to dominate the Australian side. Fly‑half Holly Aitchison earns her 50th cap as she steps onto the field, while hooker May Campbell is selected to bolster the set‑piece unit. On the wing, Mia Venner partners with Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald and Ellie Kildunne to complete the back three, offering a blend of pace, agility and finishing skill.
Former England prop Hannah Botterman, who missed the entire Six Nations campaign due to a long‑term injury, is now fit again and is listed among the replacements, alongside Morwenna Talling, providing depth in the forward pack. Saracens prop Kelsey Clifford has been forced out of the home leg of the WXV Global Series after sustaining a hamstring problem. Liz Crake has been called up to fill her place in the squad, while Clifford remains in the wider training group with hopes of returning for the North American leg of the tour in October.
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 added that playing in varied locations helps the team stay connected with the broader rugby community, stating, "Visibility is crucial, but being physically close to the community makes the connection even stronger." Mitchell emphasised the importance of team cohesion, noting that the players have worked hard throughout pre‑season to deepen their bonds, a factor he believes will translate into greater resilience and performance on the pitch. "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," he said.
Looking ahead, Mitchell is eager to kick‑off the WXV Global Series with an entertaining and competitive display, aiming to excite fans and set a high standard for the tournament. "We’re excited to get our WXV Global Series under way and aim to excite and entertain," he concluded.
The 2026 season marks the inaugural edition of the WXV Global Series, featuring twelve nations locked in for the 2026‑2028 cycle with no promotion or relegation, ensuring a stable competitive structure. After the Australia game, England will travel to face Canada on September 19 at Sandy Park in Exeter, a repeat of the 2025 World Cup final. The following week, on September 26, the Red Roses will take on New Zealand at Allianz Stadium. In October, the squad will embark on a tour of North America, playing matches against Canada and the United States as part of the series, offering further opportunities for the team to test themselves against top‑tier opposition.
The starting XV for the Australia clash is as follows: 15 Ellie Kildunne, 14 Mia Venner, 13 Megan Jones (c), 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, 23 Helena Rowland. With a blend of seasoned internationals returning from injury and fresh talent stepping up, the Red Roses are poised to deliver a compelling performance against a strong Australian side, while also using the occasion to strengthen community ties and showcase the growing popularity of women’s rugby across the United Kingdom.