The Red Roses coach, John Mitchell, has revealed the list of 32 players who will represent England in this year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup, which will be held on English soil.
Zoe Aldcroft will lead the team as captain, composed of 18 forwards and 14 backs, a squad that boasts vast experience.
Aldcroft prepares for his third World Cup, while Emily Scarratt gets ready for her fifth participation.
Abi Burton, May Campbell, Mackenzie Carson, Kelsey Clifford, Maddie Feaunati, Lilli Ives Campion, Jade Shekells and Emma Sing will make their debut in the World Cup competition.
Although there are new faces, Mitchell’s team accumulates a total of 1,374 international matches among all its members.
It’s a unique and extraordinary opportunity for this group to represent the Red Roses in a home World Cup.
Mitchell added:
The selection process is never easy. We have dedicated two years to selecting the right combination of positional coverage, skill, mentality, and connection; we believe this is a team capable of winning the World Cup.
John Mitchell
The Red Roses will seek to conquer the world title for the first time since 2014, the year they won the trophy in France. England reached the final in the 2022 edition, losing a closely contested match against New Zealand in Auckland.
Mitchell took office in 2023 and has guided the team towards greater success, achieving two consecutive Grand Slams in the Six Nations. England has not lost a match since the last World Cup final.
England will begin their campaign against the United States at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland on August 22.
England Call-up:
Forwards: Hannah Botterman, Mackenzie Carson, Sarah Bern, Maud Muir, Kelsey Clifford, Lark Atkin-Davies, Amy Cokayne, May Campbell, Zoe Aldcroft (captain), Abbie Ward, Rosie Galligan, Morwenna Talling, Lilli Ives Campion, Alex Matthews, Sadia Kabeya, Maddie Feaunati, Marlie Packer, Abi Burton.Backs: Lucy Packer, Natasha Hunt, Zoe Harrison, Helena Rowland, Holly Aitchison, Emily Scarratt, Jade Shekells, Tatyana Heard, Meg Jones, Abby Dow, Ellie Kildunne, Jess Breach, Emma Sing, Claudia MacDonald.
