The Red Roses have confirmed that they will be without two key players for their upcoming September Tests and WXV1 campaign. Back row Sadia Kabeya and lock Cath O’Donnell have both been ruled out with ankle injuries, and will be out of action for the forthcoming fixtures with France and New Zealand, before sitting out the trip to Canada at the end of next month.
The news was broken in the latest Red Roses squad announcement, as head coach John Mitchell has named the fifth iteration of his pre-season training squad. The preparations are steadily coming to a close with England set to host France at Gloucester’s Kingsholm Stadium on September 7th. This is then followed up by a hotly anticipated fixture against the reigning World Champions, when the Black Ferns head to Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on September 14th.
“Cath has been in outstanding condition and performing at a great level throughout pre-season.” Mitchell said. “We know how important her dream of playing in at the Rugby World Cup next year and we will support her every step of the way to help her achieve that.”
“No one wants to lose a World Class player to injury and in Sadia’s case, she was unfortunately behind the eight ball from the start of pre-season with a hamstring injury. She had worked hard to return to contact exposure before suffering a setback with her ankle. We’re sad to lose her but we are looking forward to her returning to our environment next year and ripping into 2025.
“As with Meg (Jones), Cath and Sadia’s misfortune presents a chance for someone else in the squad to step up and attack the opportunity.”
The additional injury news sees Rosie Galligan continue her time on the side-lines, with all signs pointing to the lock returning to action in time for WXV. Galligan’s fellow second row, Bristol Bears star Abbie Ward, is reported to be suffering from a minor knee issue and will be rehabilitating at the West Country club. However, Ward is in fact expected to return to the England camp in time for the Tests against France and New Zealand.
Additionally, Kelsey Clifford and Bo Westcombe-Evans will continue their injury comeback’s within the Red Roses set-up, as they are due to complete their respective Returns to Performance in camp. Aside from the injury news, Mitchell has re-called Exeter Chiefs’ Maisy Allen, Trailfinders’ Brooke Bradley and Bristol’s Delaney Burns to the 37-player squad.
Red Roses Pre-Season Camp 5 Squad
Forwards
Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 53 caps)
Maisy Allen (Exeter Chiefs, 5 caps)
Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 57 caps)
Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 61 caps)
Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 47 caps)
Georgia Brock (Gloucester-Hartpury, uncapped)
Delaney Burns (Bristol Bears, 2 caps)
May Campbell (Saracens, 1 cap)
Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 15 caps)
Amy Cokayne (Leicester Tigers, 74 caps)
Poppy Cleall (Saracens, 65 caps)
Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 8 caps)
Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 5 caps)
Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning, uncapped)
Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 67 caps)
Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 30 caps)
Gabriella Nigrelli (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
Marlie Packer (Saracens, 104 caps)
Simi Pam (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 13 caps)
Backs
Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 30 caps)
Jess Breach (Saracens, 38 caps)
Brooke Bradley (Trailfinders Women, uncapped)
Katie Buchanan (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women, 45 caps)
Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 49 caps)
Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 22 caps)
Pip Hendy (Gloucester-Hartpury, uncapped)
Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 72 caps)
Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 43 caps)
Phoebe Murray (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 21 caps)
Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 29 caps)
Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 6 caps)
Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 111 caps)
Bo Westcombe-Evans (Loughborough Lightning, uncapped)
Ella Wyrwas (Saracens, 6 caps)