Loughborough Lightning forward Daisy Hibbert-Jones has been called up into the Red Roses squad for the inaugural WXV tournament.
Hibbert-Jones is included as a replacement for her clubmate Sadia Kabeya, who will unfortunately now miss out due to a hamstring injury that kept her out of the recent internationals against Canada.
It keeps the Lightning representation in the 30-player squad at three, alongside vice-captain Helena Rowland and Cath O’Donnell.
Former England Under-20s international Hibbert-Jones is uncapped at senior level and was a try-scorer in Lightning’s 33-25 defeat to Saracens last weekend.
The Red Roses, who kick-off their WXV1 campaign against Australia on Friday 20 October (kick-off: 7am BST), have also drafted in Emma Sing of Gloucester-Hartpury in place of injured scrum-half Lucy Packer.
“We’re really disappointed for Sadia and Lucy,” interim head coach Louis Deacon.
“They have done a fantastic job in their roles since their debuts in 2021, and it’s sad they will miss out on the inaugural WXV tournament.
“Along with Loughborough and Harlequins, we will ensure Sadia and Lucy are supported throughout their recovery process and we look forward to them returning to the field when they are ready to do so.”
Following Friday’s opening match in Wellington, the Red Roses take on Canada at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday 27 October (kick-off: 7am BST), in Round 2.
Auckland’s Go Media Mt Smart Stadium will host the Red Roses’ final fixture against New Zealand on Saturday 4 November (kick-off: 6am BST),
All three matches will be shown live on ITVX.
