Pair of Red Roses headline Trailfinders Women re-signings

England internationals Abi Burton and Haidee Head are among the first batch of re-signings by JAECOO Premiership Women’s Rugby runners-up Trailfinders Women.

Last season the pair were integral figures for Barney Maddison’s team as they played knockout rugby for the first time.

Burton made 15 PWR appearances for the West London club last season, scored eight tries and completed 198 tackles. The 26-year-old even enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with the Red Roses.

A scarcely used commodity at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, she was thrust into a starting role in the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations as pregnancies and injury meant there was a place to be filled at lock. Burton started four games as the Red Roses won a fifth Grand Slam in a row.

“She will front up in whatever position she needs to for the team,” Meg Jones, England’s captain, said after their Round 2 win over Scotland at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

“She will vigorously learn it. She won’t stop. She will try and be the best. She’s curious. She’ll keep coming. She’ll keep banging on the door.

“That’s the one thing you’ll always get from Bertie and that’s 100 per cent heart, 100 per cent passion and that’s what she delivers. She is one of the best ball carriers, and for her to add more strings to her bow with lineout calling… class.”

Head was one of the breakout players of 2025/26. She arrived in London as an English qualified player and possessed several years of experience in Super Rugby Women’s with the Queensland Reds.

The 22-year-old made 15 appearances for Trailfinders on their way to the Twickenham Stoop final, scored one try, made 55 carries and completed 117 tackles.

John Mitchell could ignore Head’s form and ultimately gave the back-row her Red Roses debut off the bench against Italy in the Women’s Six Nations.

Trailfinders have also announced the retention of versatile Wales back Carys Cox. The 27-year-old scored three tries across the 2025/26 campaign, made 673 metres from 105 carries and even completed 105 tackles.

Scrum-half Brooke Bradley and hooker Amanda McQuade have also extended their stay in West London by signing new contracts.