Red Roses squad: 25 World Cup winners included in extended WXV group as three uncapped players named
Red Roses head coach John Mitchell (left) has named a strong 36-player squad for the WXV campaign
Red Roses head coach John Mitchell has named a strong 36-player squad for the upcoming WXV campaign, with an eye-watering 25 World Cup winners included in the group.
Mitchell’s squad once again head into the home leg of the WXV series number one in the world, but they face a tough campaign with Tests against Australia, Canada and the Black Ferns across September.
Meg Jones once again leads the side through the campaign, after taking captaincy duties during the Six Nations.
Red Roses name 25 World Cup winners in WXV squad
The headline names in the Red Roses squad come in the form of the World Cup winners, with the likes of Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman, Mo Hunt, Ellie Kildunne, Jess Breach, Holly Aitchison and Sadia Kabeya all included. Overall, the squad boasts an astonishing 1,234 Test caps.
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Elsewhere, Mitchell has included three uncapped players in his squad, with Saracens’ Bryony Field, Trailfinders ace Hayley Jones and Gloucester-Hartpury forward Sophie McQueen all in line for their senior Test debuts.
Commenting on his squad, the head coach said: “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.
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“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.”
The announcement comes after a four-week pre-season camp ahead of the WXV campaign.
Red Roses squad in full
Forwards: Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman, Delaney Burns, Abi Burton, May Campbell, Mackenzie Carson, Kelsey Clifford, Amy Cokayne, Maddie Feaunati, Bryony Field, Haidee Head, Lilli Ives Campion, Hayley Jones, Sadia Kabeya, Haineala Lutui, Alex Matthews, Sophie McQueen, Maud Muir, Marlie Packer, Demelza Short, Morwenna Talling
Backs: Holly Aitchison, Jess Breach, Millie David, Zoe Harrison, Tatyana Heard, Natasha Hunt, Megan Jones, Ellie Kildunne, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, Lucy Packer, Flo Robinson, Helena Rowland, Emma Sing, Mia Venner, Bo Westcombe-Evans
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