Hosts England announce squad for #RWC2025
NEWS: Red Roses head coach John Mitchell has selected the 32 players tasked with winning the Women’s World Cup 2025 on home soil.
Twenty-four of the group, which comprises 18 forwards and 14 backs, have World Cup experience, including captain Zoe Aldcroft, who will compete in her third, and Emily Scarratt, who will play in her fifth.
Abi Burton, May Campbell, Mackenzie Carson, Kelsey Clifford, Maddie Feaunati, Lilli Ives Campion, Jade Shekells, and Emma Sing are all tournament debutants.
“It is a rare and awesome opportunity for this group to represent the Red Roses at a home World Cup,” said Mitchell. “The selection process is never easy. It’s been a thorough two-year process to select the right blend of positional cover, skill, mindset, and connection – we believe this is a squad that can win the World Cup.
“We’re excited by what’s to come and we’ll continue to work hard into the tournament with our focus on preparing for our opening match against the USA in less than a month.”
From the grassroots game to the world stage 🌹
Your #RedRoses are ready for #RWC2025.@O2 | #WearTheRose pic.twitter.com/LKivm2Mhi6
— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) July 24, 2025
Captain Aldcroft added, “To lead the team into a home World Cup is an incredible feeling. This group has a fantastic opportunity to inspire young boys and girls all over the country – it’s something we have spoken about as a collective, and we’re relishing the chance to do so. Pulling on the white shirt is always a massive privilege, and we can’t wait to do that, backed by our amazing home support.”
England kick off with the opening match at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light against the USA on Friday, August 22, before further pool games against Samoa in Northampton on Saturday, August 30, and Australia in Brighton on Saturday, September 6.
England squad
Forwards:
Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 63 caps)**
Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 66 caps)*
Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 71 caps)**
Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 56 caps)*
Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women, 2 caps)
May Campbell (Saracens, 3 caps)
Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 21 caps)
Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 13 caps)
Amy Cokayne (Sale Sharks, 83 caps)**
Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 15 caps)
Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 24 caps)*
Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning, 2 caps)
Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 21 caps)*
Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 75 caps)***
Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 40 caps)*
Marlie Packer (Saracens, 110 caps)***
Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 22 caps)*
Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 74 caps)**
Backs:
Holly Aitchison (Sale Sharks, 40 caps)*
Jess Breach (Saracens, 45 caps)*
Abby Dow (Unattached, 52 caps)*
Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 57 caps)**
Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 29 caps)*
Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 80 caps)**
Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women, 25 caps)*
Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 52 caps)*
Claudia Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 35 caps)*
Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 31 caps)*
Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 39 caps)*
Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 118 caps)****
Jade Shekells (Gloucester-Hartpury, 2 caps)
Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 8 caps)
*denotes number of Women’s World Cup tournaments played
