The Red Roses<\/a> enter the 2025 Women\u2019s Rugby World Cup<\/a> as strong favourites to triumph on home soil in England. <\/p>\n John Mitchell<\/a>\u2019s side have gone unbeaten in the three years since their final defeat to New Zealand at the last major tournament and continue to set the pace at the top of women\u2019s rugby.<\/p>\n Mitchell, appointed head coach in 2023<\/a> and tasked with ending a nine-year wait for a world title, has selected a 32-player squad<\/a> for the World Cup featuring mostly familiar faces having worked hard to build depth over the last two years. <\/p>\n With four survivors of the successful 2014 England side, and several new stars also included, the New Zealander hopes to have put together the right blend to allow the Red Roses to triumph at Twickenham on 27 September.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s The Independent\u2019s player-by-player guide to the squad:<\/p>\n Props <\/strong><\/p>\n Hannah Botterman<\/strong><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Prop Hannah Botterman is one of England\u2019s best ball carriers (Getty Images)<\/p>\n Club: Bristol Bears <\/strong><\/p>\n A powerful ball carrier, Botterman is now firmly established as England\u2019s first-choice loosehead, who combines set-piece solidity with real prowess over the ball. A high-energy figure on and off the pitch. <\/strong><\/p>\n Mackenzie Carson<\/strong><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Mackenzie Carson was capped by Canada before switching her international allegiance to England in 2023 (Getty Images)<\/p>\n Club: Gloucester-Hartpury<\/strong><\/p>\n Capped three times by Canada after making her debut against England in 2018, Carson came from nowhere into the Red Roses fold in early 2023 \u2013 and hasn\u2019t looked back since<\/a>. Qualifying thanks to her English mother, an injury has disrupted her year a little yet Carson always felt a certainty to make this squad. <\/strong><\/p>\n Sarah Bern<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Sarah Bern is a dynamic force in the loose (Getty)<\/p>\n Club: Bristol Bears<\/strong><\/p>\n Probably the most complete prop in the world, Bern burst on to the scene at the 2017 tournament and has run amok ever since with dynamism that belies her position and power-packed frame. Named on The Independent\u2019s 2025 Pride list,<\/a> her wider profile has begun to match her ability on the pitch with Bern an increasingly prominent social media figure. <\/p>\n Maud Muir<\/strong><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Maud Muir is one of England\u2019s props (Getty Images)<\/p>\n Club: Gloucester-Hartpury <\/strong><\/p>\n Muir has begun to seriously threaten Bern\u2019s position as top tighthead, which is a mark of how she has grown into a front-row force. Having bounced around the front row early in her career, the 24-year-old has been allowed to knuckle down at one spot<\/a> and flourished. <\/strong><\/p>\n Kelsey Clifford <\/strong><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n (Getty Images)<\/p>\n Club: Saracens<\/strong><\/p>\n A hugely valuable front row figure given her capacity to cover both sides of the scrum, Clifford has always been a strong set-piece operator and is now a developing threat in the loose, too. Only 23 but firmly established at Saracens. <\/strong><\/p>\n Hookers<\/strong><\/p>\n Lark Atkin-Davies<\/strong><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n (Getty Images)<\/p>\n Club: Bristol Bears<\/strong><\/p>\n Marshall of a maul that will again do damage, Atkin-Davies is a standards-driver<\/a> within the England environment and outstanding lineout thrower. <\/p>\n Amy Cokayne<\/strong><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Amy Cokayne is one of England\u2019s hookers (Getty Images)<\/p>\n Club: Sale Sharks <\/strong><\/p>\n Cokayne balances plenty of skill and steel in the tight with comfort in wide-open spaces, and will rival Atkin-Davies for the starting No 2 shirt. The pair\u2019s high quality have helped get the best out of one another and their teammates, with England\u2019s set-piece again sure to be a strength. <\/p>\n May Campbell<\/strong><\/p>\n Club: Saracens<\/strong><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n May Campbell has played at hooker and in the back row (Getty Images)<\/p>\n Campbell has edged out Connie Powell for the third hooker spot on account of an excellent Premiership Women\u2019s Rugby (PWR) campaign both in the front row and at flanker for Saracens. An outstanding ruck scavenger, Campbell is slightly undersized yet is very good around the park. <\/strong><\/p>\n Locks<\/strong><\/p>\n Zoe Aldcroft (captain)<\/strong><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Zoe Aldcroft will captain England at a home World Cup (AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n Club: Gloucester-Hartpury<\/strong><\/p>\n Appointed captain in a year of a home World Cup<\/a>, Aldcroft never has a bad game. Tireless and totemic, her athleticism means she may well be deployed in the back row while she is finding her voice as a leader. <\/p>\n Abbie Ward<\/strong><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Abbie Ward is one of England\u2019s best lineout forwards (Getty Images)<\/p>\n Club: Bristol Bears <\/strong><\/p>\n Having become a mother between the last World Cup and this, Ward has re-established herself as a second row starter. An excellent lineout operator and incredibly driven professional.<\/p>\n Rosie Galligan <\/strong><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Rosie Galligan has overcome challenges in her career (Getty Images)<\/p>\n Club: Saracens<\/strong><\/p>\n An international career initially interrupted by career-threatening battles with bacterial meningitis and serious injury has flourished in the last few years. Galligan is another springy lineout jumper who now plays with real authority around the park. Recently became engaged to teammate Marlie Packer.<\/p>\n Morwenna Talling<\/strong><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n The hard-working Talling is well-liked by England\u2019s coaching staff (Getty Images)<\/p>\n Club: Sale Sharks<\/strong><\/p>\n Capable in either the second row or on the blindside, Talling embraces the workhorse term and relishes doing plenty of unseen work.<\/a> A proud northerner, the 23-year-old was born and raised in Yorkshire and now calls Sale home; her physicality is valued by the England staff.<\/p>\n Lilli Ives Campion <\/strong><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Lilli Ives Campion is the youngest player in the Red Roses squad (Getty Images)<\/p>\n Club: Loughborough Lightning<\/strong><\/p>\n The youngest member of the squad, Ives Campion is a former England U20s captain who has been mentored closely by both Ward and Aldcroft. An avid TikTok poster, like plenty in the Red Roses squad.<\/p>\n Back Rows<\/strong><\/p>\n Alex Matthews<\/strong><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Alex Matthews won the World Cup (Getty Images)<\/p>\n Club: Gloucester-Hartpury<\/strong><\/p>\n Among the most consistent England players in fifteens and sevens for more than a decade, Matthews has evolved from youthful tyro into a No 8 of sheer class. A World Cup winner in 2014 and Olympian at Tokyo 2020, she may be quiet off the field but Matthews will be a key cog in England\u2019s bid for success. <\/p>\n Sadia Kabeya <\/strong><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Sadia Kabeya is one of England\u2019s rising stars (Getty Images)<\/p>\n Club: Loughborough Lightning <\/strong><\/p>\n A surging force in the run-up to the last World Cup, Kabeya is now firmly established in the England set-up. Among the most destructive defenders at John Mitchell\u2019s disposal, the Loughborough flanker likely has designs on a starting spot on the openside but has operated on the blindside in the last 18 months at times, adding lineout jumping and a wider role in attack to a skillset that still seems to be growing.<\/p>\n Marlie Packer <\/strong><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Marlie Packer is England\u2019s former captain (PA Archive)<\/p>\n Club: Saracens<\/strong><\/p>\n No longer skipper but still a vital part of the Red Roses leadership team<\/a>, Packer is combativity and competitiveness are her trademark qualities but can distract from how rounded her game is. At 35, this is probably a last chance to repeat the 2014 triumph of which she was a part \u2013 whether in a prominent or smaller role, she will not take a backwards step.<\/p>\n Maddie Feaunati <\/strong><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Maddie Feaunati has been a breakthrough star of 2025 (PA Wire)<\/p>\n Club: Exeter Chiefs<\/strong><\/p>\n Lured north from New Zealand having been born in Leeds, Feaunati has been the breakthrough star of England\u2019s 2025<\/a> to challenge for a starting spot. Still a rough diamond in some ways, she is well-liked by coaches and players alike and provides something a little bit different in the forward pack. Father Zak won 13 caps for Samoa and portrayed Jonah Lomu in Invictus, the 2009 film starring Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman. <\/p>\n Abi Burton<\/strong><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Abi Burton is (PA Wire)<\/p>\n Club: Trailfinders<\/strong><\/p>\n A tale of resilience to rival any in in the squad<\/a>, Burton spent 25 days in a coma in 2022 with autoimmune encephalitis. Returned to the sevens circuit a year later and appeared at an Olympics before making her international 15-a-side bow during this year\u2019s Six Nations, where she immediately impressed to earn a place in this squad.<\/p>\n Scrum halves<\/strong><\/p>\n Natasha \u2018Mo\u2019 Hunt<\/strong><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Natasha Hunt has returned to full force after missing the last World Cup squad (Getty Images)<\/p>\n Club: Gloucester-Hartpury<\/strong><\/p>\n A shock omission from the travelling party three years ago,<\/a> Hunt has returned better than ever to find maybe career-best form in her mid-thirties. A livewire character hasn\u2019t always meshed with previous England coaches but Mitchell and Lou Meadows, the attack coach, have got the best out of her, aided by clarity of communication and a willingness to back their players\u2019 decision-making. <\/p>\n Lucy Packer<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Lucy Packer started the last World Cup final (Getty Images)<\/p>\n Club: Harlequins<\/strong><\/p>\n Packer was the beneficiary of Hunt\u2019s omission last time around and produced a composed showing after a late call into the starting side for the World Cup final. The Harlequin has since been given plenty more opportunities in England\u2019s biggest games and provides sharp service from the base of the ruck.<\/p>\n Fly halves<\/strong><\/p>\n Zoe Harrison<\/strong><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Zoe Harrison (Getty Images)<\/p>\n Club: Saracens<\/strong><\/p>\n For a long time the heir apparent to Katy Daley-Mclean, Harrison hasn\u2019t had things all her own way since the World Cup-winning No 10\u2019s retirement, battling with fluctuations in form and an ACL injury that sidelined her for much of 2023. She boasts one of the best kicking games in the sport, though, both from hand and tee, and has the ability to put people into space like the best playmakers. <\/p>\n Holly Aitchison<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Holly Aitchison has helped unlock England\u2019s attacking game (Getty Images)<\/p>\n Club: Sale Sharks<\/strong><\/p>\n Started the last World Cup final in the centres<\/a> but has since been reinvented as an intuitive distributing fly half who has helped unlock England\u2019s wide attacking game. Enters this tournament with a bit of an injury niggle yet may well emerge as a leading fly half option if the Red Roses wish to play expansively. She\u2019s worked hard to refine her work from the tee, too. <\/p>\n Helena Rowland<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Helena Rowland is one of the world\u2019s most versatile players (PA Wire)<\/p>\n Club: Loughborough Lightning<\/strong><\/p>\n Among the most valued members of the squad, Rowland is England\u2019s Miss Versatility, and has started games at 10, 12, 13, 14 and 15 in the last few years \u2013 as well as providing emergency scrum half cover in the run-up to this tournament. Like plenty of others in the 32-player group, comes from a sevens background and has the fast feet one would expect. Still unbeaten in a Red Roses shirt having missed the final defeat last time around due to a cruelly timed injury.<\/a><\/p>\n Centres<\/strong><\/p>\n Tatyana Heard<\/strong><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Tatyana Heard is a key figure for England in midfield (Getty Images)<\/p>\n Club: Gloucester-Hartpury<\/strong><\/p>\n A vital cog in England\u2019s backline, Heard balances ability as front-foot carrier with a clever short-passing game. The inside centre can sometimes fail to garner the plaudits she deserves -when Heard goes well, so, generally, do the Red Roses.<\/p>\n Meg Jones<\/strong><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n (Getty Images)<\/p>\n Club: Trailfinders<\/strong><\/p>\n A free spirit, Jones bounced between sevens and fifteens after appearing at the 2017 World Cup yet has really nailed down her best role since returning to the Red Roses squad in the autumn of 2023. Quick as a hiccup and highly creative, she still speaks with a Welsh twang that betrays her Cardiff upbringing but she is a key leader and vice-captain within this England squad.<\/p>\n Emily Scarratt<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Emily Scarratt has won more than 100 caps for England (Getty Images)<\/p>\n Club: Loughborough Lightning<\/strong><\/p>\n A remarkable fifth World Cup for a player who did plenty to change perceptions of the sport. Scarratt thought retirement may be on the cards after a serious neck injury <\/a>forced a long lay-off but has come back to prove plenty wrong, and is still among the game\u2019s most gifted players. No longer a starter, yet her value has been clear throughout the lead-up to this World Cup. <\/p>\n Jade Shekells<\/strong><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Jade Shekells featured for Team GB in sevens at Paris 2024 (Getty Images)<\/p>\n Club: Gloucester-Hartpury<\/strong><\/p>\n Shekells was not really on the radar as a World Cup contender at the start of this year, yet England like her potential at inside centre, a position where alternatives to Heard were lacking a little. Plenty of time spent on the sevens circuit are indicative of the athletic traits she possesses, while Shekells often stood out for Worcester before their demise. <\/p>\n Back three<\/strong><\/p>\n Abby Dow<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Abby Dow is one of the world\u2019s best wings (Getty Images)<\/p>\n Club: Unattached<\/strong><\/p>\n A supreme finisher and deep thinker about the game with real pace, a fierce fend and prowess as a defender, Dow is the archetypal modern wing. She is keen on crochet away from the pitch.<\/p>\n![\"Prop](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1755508875_302_newFile-3.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Mackenzie](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1755508876_347_newFile-4.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Sarah](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-2212538612.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Maud](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1755508878_744_newFile-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Kelsey-Clifford.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Lark-Atkin-Davies.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Amy](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/newFile-12.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"May](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/May-Campbell.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Zoe](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Zoe-Aldcroft-1b0apbzj.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Abbie](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1755508890_516_newFile-4.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Rosie](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1755508891_777_newFile.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1755508892_613_newFile-6.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Lilli](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Lilli-Ives-Campion.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Alex](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Alex-Matthews.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Sadia](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1755508896_910_newFile-3.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Marlie](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/f2ef2ad8445db2c47711b4cc9444913aY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzI5MjgyNjI3-2.71943749.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Maddie](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/f495b3b693decdf78fbf814804a1e312Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzQzMzYwNDMx-2.79550241.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Abi](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/5160ffe05e5138bf5a02758caa682359Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzU0MDQwNTA0-2.79551075.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Natasha](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1755508899_684_newFile-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Lucy](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1755508900_260_newFile.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Zoe](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Zoe-Harrison.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Holly](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Holly-Aitchison-b8ugyjaq.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Helena](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/8a7a817f2e185d3b2682697e7c3f1adcY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzU0MjM4NTY1-2.81168026.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Tatyana](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Tatyana-Heard.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1755508910_189_newFile-4.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Emily](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Emily-Scarratt.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Jade](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-2164051974.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Abby](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Abby-Dow.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"Ellie](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-2172003326.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"England\u2019s](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/bbe2f4bdc13e18b9c7b3d43f777d667eY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzEzMDA5NDU3-2.71537587.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Claudia](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Claudia-MacDonald-edwf49mm.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Emma](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SEI244923816.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n