England's Red Roses name 36-player WXV squad with 25 World Cup winners and three uncapped forwards

Mitchell's selection balances World Cup core with new faces

England head coach John Mitchell named a 36-player Red Roses squad for the team's three home fixtures in the WXV Global Series during September, drawing 25 players from the squad that won the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 and adding three uncapped forwards. Meg Jones will captain the side again after leading the team through the Six Nations, with regular captain Zoe Stratford absent because she is pregnant. The squad carries a combined total of 1,234 Test caps.

WXV schedule opens in Manchester against the Wallaroos

England's WXV campaign begins on Saturday 12 September against Australia in Manchester, with Mitchell's side ranked number one in the world entering the home leg. The Wallaroos are the named hosts of the Women's Rugby World Cup 2029, giving the opening fixture an additional competitive frame. A week later, on Saturday 19 September in Exeter, England face Canada in a repeat of the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 final. The home stand concludes on Saturday 26 September against New Zealand's Black Ferns at Allianz Stadium, where 50,000 tickets have already been sold.

Uncapped trio targets senior debuts in the front five

Mitchell has included three uncapped forwards, all of whom play in the front five or back row. Saracens hooker Bryony Field, Trailfinders hooker Hayley Jones and Gloucester-Hartpury forward Sophie McQueen are in line for their first senior Test caps. The two hookers are positioned to compete with established players Amy Cokayne and May Campbell, while McQueen joins a competitive back-row group.

Mitchell frames the group as a four-week-old project

Mitchell, who took charge following the World Cup win, said the squad has been built across a four-week pre-season camp. "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," he said. He added: "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."

North American tour closes the WXV calendar

After three October Tests, the Red Roses will travel to Canada for fixtures in Toronto and Ottawa against the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 runners-up. The WXV Global Series then concludes against the USA Women's Eagles at Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey, extending England's international window into North America after the home leg.

Milestones on the horizon

Holly Aitchison is in line to win her 50th cap for England if selected for the opening WXV match against the Wallaroos on 12 September in Manchester.