Mitchell names his squad for Black Ferns showdown

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Thirty-five players will assemble at Hazelwood to prepare for the Red Roses’ second September international against the Black Ferns.

John Mitchell’s world number one side takes on the world champions at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday, September 14.

The two sides last played each other at the inaugural WXV 1 tournament, where the Red Roses won 33-12 to claim revenge for their Rugby World Cup 2021 final defeat.

Saturday’s fixture will be the last game for the team before they travel to Vancouver for this year’s WXV 1 where they will once again face New Zealand, as well as Canada and the USA.

The squad consist of 19 forwards and 16 backline players.

Mitchell has named four uncapped players in the squad, namely Georgia Brock (Gloucester-Hartpury), Katie Buchanan (Exeter Chiefs), Phoebe Murray (Bristol Bears) and Bo Westcombe-Evans (Loughborough Lightning).

“We haven’t played New Zealand on home soil very often so it’s always a huge battle, and to be able to play that kind of fixture at such an amazing stadium, I think both teams will be looking forward to it,” said Amy Cokayne.

“I love playing against New Zealand, it’s definitely one of those games that no one needs any external motivation to get up for.”

England squad:

Forwards:
Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 54 caps)
Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 58 caps)
Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 62 caps)
Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 48 caps)
Georgia Brock (Gloucester-Hartpury, uncapped)
Delaney Burns (Bristol Bears, 2 caps)
Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 16 caps)
Amy Cokayne (Leicester Tigers, 75 caps)
Poppy Cleall (Saracens, 66 caps)
Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 8 caps)
Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 6 caps)
Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 16 caps)
Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning, 1 cap)
Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 68 caps)
Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 31 caps)
Marlie Packer (Saracens, 105 caps)
Connie Powell (Harlequins, 19 caps)
Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 14 caps)
Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 65 caps)

Backs:
Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 31 caps)
Jess Breach (Saracens, 39 caps)
Katie Buchanan (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women, 46 caps)
Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 50 caps)
Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 23 caps)
Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 73 caps)
Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 44 caps)
Sarah McKenna (Saracens, 45 caps)
Phoebe Murray (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 22 caps)
Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 30 caps)
Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 6 caps)
Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 112 caps)
Bo Westcombe-Evans (Loughborough Lightning, uncapped)
Ella Wyrwas (Saracens, 6 caps)