Red Roses confirm which 32 players have received full-time contracts for the 2026/27 season

The Red Roses have confirmed that 32 players will be contracted for the 2026/27 season. An additional six players have been awarded transition contracts.

Lock forward Lilli Ives Campion has received her first-ever full-time Red Roses contract. Flo Robinson and Mia Venner have also received maiden full-time contracts.

John Mitchell’s squad contains 30 Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 winners in the group and 1,475 international caps amongst the squad.

It is also the first full-time 15-a-side contract for two-time Olympian Abi Burton, who enjoyed a breakthrough campaign the the forward pack.

Millie David, Haineala Lutui and Demelza Short, who all made their England debuts this season, have been awarded transition contracts alongside Hayley Jones, Annabel Meta and Sarah Parry.

Haidee Head and Christiana Balogun, who both made their international debuts in this year’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations, have not received contracts. Neither have Delaney Burns or Liz Crake, who earned Test rugby recalls at this year’s Championship.

Charlie Hayter, Head of Women’s Performance, said: “Today’s announcement recognises a group of competitive and committed players who continue to drive standards every day and represent what this team is all about, as evidenced by our achievements in the 2025/26 season.

“Competition within this squad remains incredibly fierce, and that’s one of our greatest strengths. We’re excited by what this group can achieve together over the coming year, and beyond, and are looking forward to continuing our work as we prepare for the next phase of the international calendar.”

In June it was confirmed that the Red Roses and Rugby Football Union had agreed a four-year contract framework that guaranteed a minimum of 32 full-time contracts and an uplift in player salaries, match fees and commercial opportunities.

The side that tops the World Rugby rankings are next in action this September when they host Australia, Canada and New Zealand as part of their home WXV Global Series slate of fixtures. In October the team will play two Tests against Canada and once against the USA Women’s Eagles.

Contracted Red Roses for the 2026/27 season

Holly Aitchison (Sale Sharks)
Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears)
Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears)
Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears)
Jess Breach (Saracens)
Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women)
May Campbell (Saracens)
Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester Hartpury)
Kelsey Clifford (Saracens)
Amy Cokayne (Sale Sharks)
Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs)
Rosie Galligan (Harlequins)
Zoe Harrison (Saracens)
Tatyana Heard (Sale Sharks)
Natasha Hunt (Gloucester Hartpury)
Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning)
Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women)
Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning)
Ellie Kildunne (Bristol Bears)
Alex Matthews (Gloucester Hartpury)
Claudia Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs)
Maud Muir (Gloucester Hartpury)
Lucy Packer (Harlequins)
Marlie Packer (Harlequins)
Flo Robinson (Exeter Chiefs)
Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning)
Jade Shekells (Gloucester Hartpury)
Emma Sing (Gloucester Hartpury)
Zoe Stratford (Sale Sharks)
Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks)
Mia Venner (Gloucester Hartpury)
Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears)

Transition Contracts

Millie David (Bristol Bears)
Hayley Jones (Trailfinders Women)
Haineala Lutui (Loughborough Lightning)
Annabel Meta (Trailfinders Women)
Sarah Parry (Harlequins)
Demelza Short (Bristol Bears)

Contracted until 31 October 2026

Lizzie Hanlon (Harlequins – transition contract)
Connie Powell (Harlequins)
Ella Wyrwas (Saracens)