John Mitchell includes exciting wing in latest Red Roses squad update

John Mitchell has named his most-recent Red Roses training squad ahead of WXV Global Series fixtures against Australia, Canada and New Zealand in September.

Sale Sharks wing Sophie Hopkins is a new inclusion in the squad. The former England Under-20 international spent last season with Lyon in France’s AXA Élite 1 while undertaking a placement year of her university degree.

Also uncapped in the squad are Bryony Field, Keevy Fitzpatrick, Hayley Jones, Sophie McQueen, Annabel Meta and Carmela Morrall.

Already over 50,000 tickets have been sold for the Red Roses’ Saturday 26 September encounter with the Black Ferns at Allianz Stadium.

In October, England will play Canada in Toronto and Ottawa, before finishing their WXV Global Series campaign against the USA Women’s Eagles at New Jersey’s Sports Illustrated Stadium.

Earlier in August Mitchell stated that the nature of WXV Global Series means that some of his players will be making early Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029 auditions:

“It’s kind of like you’re auditioning for Australia in ’29, because geographically we’re definitely going to be travelling some distance in this tournament.

“I think in many ways we’re trying to mirror that and understand how important our connections are and play exciting rugby.

“We’re tweaking our game – evolving it. But it’s very clear. The girls [are] showing enthusiasm around building and developing their skillsets for our game.

“I want to see people compete. Because, ultimately, they’ll earn the trust when it comes to ’29.”

Red Roses WXV Global Series training squad

Forwards
Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 84 caps)
Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 62 caps)
Delaney Burns (Bristol Bears, 6 caps)
Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women, 9 caps)
May Campbell (Saracens, 5 caps)
Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester Hartpury, 28 caps)
Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 25 caps)
Amy Cokayne (Sale Sharks, 94 caps)
Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 27 caps)
Bryony Field (Saracens, uncapped)
Keevy Fitzpatrick (Loughborough Lightning, uncapped)
Haidee Head (Trailfinders Women, 1 cap)
Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning, 8 caps)
Hayley Jones (Trailfinders Women, uncapped)
Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 32 caps)
Haineala Lutui (Loughborough Lightning, 4 caps)
Alex Matthews (Gloucester Hartpury, 82 caps)
Sophie McQueen (Gloucester Hartpury, uncapped)
Annabel Meta (Trailfinders Women, uncapped)
Maud Muir (Gloucester Hartpury, 53 caps)
Marlie Packer (Harlequins, 116 caps)
Demelza Short (Bristol Bears, 4 caps)
Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 29 caps)

Backs
Holly Aitchison (Sale Sharks, 49 caps)
Jess Breach (Saracens, 57 caps)
Millie David (Bristol Bears, 1 cap)
Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 70 caps)
Tatyana Heard (Sale Sharks, 36 caps)
Sophie Hopkins (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Natasha Hunt (Gloucester Hartpury, 89 caps)
Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women, 38 caps)
Ellie Kildunne (Bristol Bears, 62 caps)
Claudia Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 40 caps)
Carmela Morrall (Loughborough Lightning, uncapped)
Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 44 caps)
Flo Robinson (Exeter Chiefs, 5 caps)
Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 51 caps)
Emma Sing (Gloucester Hartpury, 17 caps)
Mia Venner (Gloucester Hartpury, 4 caps)
Bo Westcombe-Evans (Trailfinders Women, 2 caps)