Red Roses latest: World Cup winner makes timely return but trio add to John Mitchell’s injury concerns
Jade Shekells (left) comes back into the mix for the Red Roses this weekend
The Red Roses welcome 2025 World Cup winner Jade Shekells back into their extended Six Nations squad, following a lengthy injury absence.
The Gloucester-Hartpury ace has missed the opening three Tests of the Championship with a thumb injury, but is back in full training ahead of their upcoming meetings with Italy and France.
Red Roses squad update as World Cup winner returns
29-year-old Shekells made her Test debut for the Red Roses in last year’s victorious Six Nations campaign, following impressive performances in the PWR and Olympic Games as part of the Team GB Sevens side, and has since added a further three caps.
However, her return comes amid the backdrop of further injury concerns for John Mitchell’s side, with Sadia Kabeya, Lilli Ives Campion, and Alex Matthews all on the sidelines.
Back-rower Kabeya was taken off just 20 minutes into England’s 62-24 over Wales on Saturday, but had previously started against Ireland and Scotland. Campion had also started against Ireland and Scotland, but missed Saturday’s Test against Wales with a knee complaint. Matthews, on the other hand, has only featured once this Championship following a shoulder injury picked up in the wake of their 33-12 win over Ireland.
All three players will remain with the wider squad, however, and will continue their rehab in camp.
These are the latest injury concerns for the England boss to contend with, with Natasha Hunt, Morwenna Talling, Tatyana Heard, Mackenzie Carson, Hannah Botterman, May Campbell and Charlotte Fray all ruled out for the remainder of the Championship, while the likes of World Cup-winning captain Zoe Stratford and Abi Ward are unavailable due to pregnancy.
Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for world-class coverage you can trust.
Elsewhere, Sarah Parry will return to club side Harlequins, while Hayley Jones, Annabel Meta and Jodie Verghese have been released to play for the England U21s this weekend in their Test against Ireland.
Carmela Morrall and Haidee Head will remain with the senior squad, though.
The Red Roses return to action next weekend with a trip to Italy, before heading to France for a possible Grand Slam decider, with both teams currently unbeaten after three rounds.