World Cup winner recalled to Red Roses squad as trio continue rehabilitation

Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Jade Shekells has been recalled to John Mitchell’s England Red Roses squad for the Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

The Gloucester Hartpury back has recently recovered from injury and joined the team on Tuesday 28 April at Pennyhill Park. At last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup the 29-year-old played one game as England became world champions for the first time in 11 years.

A member of Team GB at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Shekells’ return to the squad sees Sarah Parry return to her club side, Harlequins. To date Shekells has won four Test caps for England and has scored one try since she made her Test debut against Scotland in 2025.

It has also been confirmed that Lilli Ives Campion [knee], Sadia Kabeya [shoulder] and Alex Matthews [shoulder] are all continuing their rehabilitation from injury in camp.

Matthews has only played in the Red Roses’ Women’s Six Nations opener against Ireland, but has sat out matches against Scotland and Wales. Ives Campion missed the Round 3 clash with Wales due to a knee injury sustained at Scottish Gas Murrayfield. Kabeya left Ashton Gate Stadium in the first half of England’s 62-24 win against Wales.

This tournament has been marred by injuries for England. In their Round 1 clash against Ireland, both Morwenna Talling and Natasha Hunt sustained Championship-ending injuries, while the likes of Zoe Stratford, Abbie Ward, Lark Atkin-Davies and Rosie Galligan away with pregnancies.

Hayley Jones, Annabel Meta and Jodie Verghese have been released to LJ Lewis’ England U21 Women squad ahead of their match with Ireland U21 Women this Saturday in Coventry. England U21 started their U21 Women’s Series tournament with a 29-0 win over Scotland at Edinburgh’s Hive Stadium.

Back-row forward Haidee Head and centre Carmela Morrall will remain with the Red Roses after both had started against Scotland almost a fortnight ago.