Mitchell announces first training squad for home World Cup
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Red Roses Head coach John Mitchell has named 42 players in his 2025 Women’s World Cup training squad, including two Under-20 players.
The squad, comprising 23 forwards and 19 backs, assembled at Hazelwood on Monday, June 2 for the first training camp of the summer.
Thirty-four of the 42 featured during England’s successful Grand Slam-winning 2025 Women’s Six Nations with a further seven aiding the team’s preparations.
Cath O’Donnell has returned to full training after missing last season’s WXV 1 tournament and the 2025 Six Nations.
Mackenzie Carson (ankle), Ellie Kildunne (hamstring), Claudia MacDonald (knee) and Abbie Ward (toe) will all continue their return to performance in camp.
Mitchell said: “We know how important and exciting 2025 is for women’s rugby in England. Today [Monday] is the start of little wins where we will work hard into the tournament.”
Forwards: Zoe Aldcroft, Lark Atkin-Davies, Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman, Georgia Brock, Abi Burton, May Campbell, Mackenzie Carson, Kelsey Clifford, Amy Cokayne, Maddie Feaunati, Rosie Galligan, Lizzie Hanlon, Lilli Ives Campion, Sadia Kabeya, Alex Matthews, Maud Muir, Cath O’Donnell, Marlie Packer, Simi Pam, Connie Powell, Morwenna Talling, Abbie Ward.
Backs: Holly Aitchison, Jess Breach, Millie David, Abby Dow, Zoe Harrison, Tatyana Heard, Natasha Hunt, Megan Jones, Ellie Kildunne, Claudia MacDonald, Lucy Packer, Sarah Parry, Flo Robinson, Helena Rowland, Emily Scarratt, Jade Shekells, Emma Sing, Mia Venner, Ella Wyrwas.
