Three Loughborough Lightning players have been named in the 30-woman Red Roses squad for the inaugural WXV tournament in New Zealand this autumn.
Helena Rowland is named as a vice captain and is joined by her clubmates Sadia Kabeya and Cath O’Donnell in a squad that is captained by Marlie Packer.
England head into WXV 1 following back-to-back wins over Canada whom they will face at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday 27 October (kick-off: 7am BST) in Round 2.
Before then, the Red Roses kick-start their campaign against Australia at Sky Stadium in Wellington on Friday 20 October (kick-off: 7am), before going toe-to-toe with hosts New Zealand at Go Media Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, on Saturday 4 November (kick-off: 6am).
“We have selected a squad rich in experience, versatility, and talent; a squad we are excited to see take to the field in the inaugural WXV competition,” interim head coach Louis Deacon.
“Since our first pre-season camp at the end of July, I’ve been extremely proud of the players’ application and dedication to always put the team first.
“There has been a tremendous amount of effort put in to develop as a squad on and off the field, and they deserve huge credit for their progress to date.
“We’re relishing the opportunity to go up against three of the world’s best teams in Australia, Canada and New Zealand as well as experiencing three different cities in a fantastic rugby-loving nation.”
Red Roses squad for WXV
FORWARDS:
Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 45 caps)
Maisy Allen (Exeter Chiefs, 2 caps)*
Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 51 caps)
Sarah Beckett (Gloucester-Hartpury, 31 caps)
Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 58 caps)
Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 39 caps)
Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 7 caps)
Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 2 caps)
Amy Cokayne (Leicester Tigers, 72 caps)
Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 11 caps)
Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 13 caps)
Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 59 caps)
Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 22 caps)
Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 29 caps)
Marlie Packer (Saracens, 96 caps)
Connie Powell (Harlequins, 11 caps)
Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 9 caps)
BACKS:
Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 22 caps)
Sophie Bridger (Saracens, 1 cap)
Jess Breach (Saracens, 30 caps)
Abby Dow (Trailfinders, 37 caps)
Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 15 caps)
Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 64 caps)
Megan Jones (Leicester Tigers, 14 caps)
Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 36 caps)
Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 30 caps)
Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 16 caps)
Amber Reed (Bristol Bears, 66 caps)
Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 25 caps)
Ella Wyrwas (Saracens, 3 caps)
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