Red Roses head coach John Mitchell has confirmed the 40-player squad that has assembled today, as England’s pre-season training continues. The Red Roses are getting ready for two upcoming September Tests against France and New Zealand, before the squad jets off to Canada with the goal of retaining their WXV1 title.
England take on Les Bleus on Saturday September 7th, with the Red Roses returning to Gloucester for an exciting clash at Kingsholm. The Black Ferns then arrive in Twickenham for a highly anticipated fixture at the newly christened Allianz Stadium, in what will be the first fixture at the stadium under the new name.
The Red Roses then commence upon their trip to British Colombia, with three WXV1 fixtures populating the calendar across September and October. England take on the United States (Sunday 29th September) before facing a re-match with world champions New Zealand (Sunday 6th October), and then taking on the tournament hosts Canada to close out their campaign (Saturday 12th October).
John Mitchell included nine uncapped players in the Red Roses training squad, beginning with Bristol Bears prop Simi Pam. England U20s captain and Loughborough lock Lilli Ives Campion also gets the call-up, with her continued progression exciting all involved with the England women’s player pathway.
There is a trio of uncapped back row players joining the fold, all representing the West Country. Bristol’s Gabriella Nigrellia is joined by Steph Else and Georgia Brook of Gloucester-Hartpury, with the reigning PWR champions hoping to return to their home stadium as capped Red Roses next month. Bristol’s Phoebe Murray is an uncapped centre, who could now be set to get her shot at a debut, following the untimely ankle injury to Leicester Tigers midfielder Meg Jones.
Exeter’s Katie Buchanan and Loughborough’s Bo Westcombe-Evans are the uncapped talents called up to the back-three ranks, who will be eyeing up a Test debut against either France or New Zealand ahead of a hopeful trip to Canada. Gloucester-Hartpury’s versatile back Pip Hendy is an uncapped player taking a ‘utility back’ role within Mitchell’s plans, with the star of the Cherry and White Circuis equally adept to both centre and wing.
Red Roses Pre-Season Camp – Monday August 19th 2024
Prop
Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 61 caps)
Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 47 caps)
Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 15 caps)
Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 8 caps)
Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 30 caps)
Simi Pam (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
Hooker
Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 57 caps)
May Campbell (Saracens, 1 cap)
Amy Cokayne (Leicester Tigers, 74 caps)
Lock
Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 53 caps)
Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 16 caps)
Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning, uncapped)
Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 30 caps)
Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 65 caps)
Back Row
Georgia Brock (Gloucester-Hartpury, uncapped)
Poppy Cleall (Saracens, 65 caps)
Steph Else (Gloucester-Hartpury, uncapped)
Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 5 caps)
Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 18 caps)
Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 67 caps)
Gabriella Nigrelli (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
Marlie Packer (Saracens, 104 caps)
Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 13 caps)
Scrum-half
Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 72 caps)
Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 21 caps)
Ella Wyrwas (Saracens, 6 caps)
Fly-half
Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 30 caps)
Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 49 caps)
Centre
Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 22 caps)
Phoebe Murray (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 111 caps)
Back Three
Jess Breach (Saracens, 38 caps)
Katie Buchanan (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women, 45 caps)
Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 43 caps)
Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 6 caps)
Bo Westcombe-Evans (Loughorough Lightning, uncapped)
Utility back
Pip Hendy (Gloucester-Hartpury, uncapped)
Sarah McKenna (Saracens, 45 caps)
Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 29 caps)