Red Roses head coach John Mitchell has named an experienced 36-player squad for the home leg of the WXV Global Series, with 25 World Cup winners included. Led by captain Megan Jones, the squad contains a combined 1,234 international caps, while there are three as yet uncapped players picked in the form of Bryony Field, Hayley Jones and Sophie McQueen. England take on Australia at CorpAcq Stadium in the outskirts of Manchester on Saturday September 12, before meeting Canada in a repeat of their 2025 World Cup final clash at Sandy Park, Exeter, a week later.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Rounding off the home leg of the series is a mouth-watering matchup against New Zealand at Allianz Stadium in front of over 50,000 spectators on Saturday September 26. Mitchell said: "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 is the inaugural edition of the WXV Global Series.
The 12 participating nations are fixed for the 2026-2028 cycle, with no promotion or relegation. The Red Roses tour Canada and the United States as part of the series in October. Forwards: Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman, Delaney Burns, Abi Burton, May Campbell, Mackenzie Carson, Kelsey Clifford, Amy Cokayne, Maddie Feaunati, Bryony Field, Haidee Head, Lilli Ives Campion, Hayley Jones, Sadia Kabeya, Haineala Lutui, Alex Matthews, Sophie McQueen, Maud Muir, Marlie Packer, Demelza Short, Morwenna Talling.
Backs: Holly Aitchison, Jess Breach, Millie David, Zoe Harrison, Tatyana Heard, Natasha Hunt, Megan Jones, Ellie Kildunne, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, Lucy Packer, Flo Robinson, Helena Rowland, Emma Sing, Mia Venner, Bo Westcombe-Evans.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
