Red Roses Name 25 World Cup Winners in 36-Player Squad — SkimNews
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- Red Roses named a 36-player squad for the home leg of the 2026 WXV Global Series, including 25 World Cup winners and three uncapped players: Bryony Field, Hayley Jones, and Sophie McQueen
- John Mitchell confirmed the squad has trained at intensity above game level, describing the current phase as 'exciting' with 'plenty in the tank' four weeks into squad formation
- England will face Australia on September 12 at CorpAcq Stadium near Manchester, then meet Canada on September 19 at Sandy Park in Exeter, a rematch of the 2025 World Cup final
- Red Roses conclude their home series against New Zealand at Allianz Stadium on September 26 in front of over 50,000 spectators, marking one of the largest attendances for women’s rugby
- WXV Global Series enters its inaugural season in 2026 with 12 fixed nations participating through a 2026–2028 cycle that excludes promotion or relegation
- Megan Jones captains the squad, which collectively holds 1,234 international caps, underscoring the team’s depth and experience ahead of the three-Test campaign
Why it matters: The inclusion of 25 World Cup champions in a 36-player squad raises the competitive bar for new talent while signaling England’s intent to dominate the new WXV structure; with over 50,000 tickets sold for the New Zealand clash, fan investment reflects growing commercial momentum behind women’s rugby at a time when the sport lacks promotion-relegation dynamics that could pressure performance.
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