31 PWR players in England's Rugby World Cup squad

Thirty-one Premiership Women’s Rugby players have been selected in England’s 2025 Rugby World Cup squad.

Gloucester-Hartpury's Zoe Aldcroft will captain her country at a World Cup for the first time and is supported by Saracens’ Marlie Packer and Trailfinders Women’s Meg Jones as vice-captains.

Loughborough Lightning’s Emily Scarratt is set to make history as the first Red Rose to play in five World Cups, with Packer and Gloucester’s Alex Matthews set to compete at a fourth tournament in a row.

All 32 players selected have played in the PWR, with Abby Dow currently unattached, having most recently featured for Trailfinders.

Eight PWR clubs have provided players to the squad, with three-time champions Gloucester-Hartpury leading the way with eight players.

From the grassroots game to the world stage 🌹

Your #RedRoses are ready for #RWC2025.@O2 | #WearTheRose pic.twitter.com/LKivm2Mhi6

— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) July 24, 2025

Aldcroft and Matthews are joined by Mackenzie Carson and Maud Muir in the forwards, with Tatyana Heard, Natasha Hunt, Jade Shekells and Emma Sing named in the backs.

Carson, Shekells and Sing are three of the eight World Cup debutants in the squad, with Saracens front row pair May Campbell and Kelsey Clifford selected for a first tournament.

Sarries are the next best represented club with six players chosen by John Mitchell, including Jess Breach, Zoe Harrison, and Rosie Galligan.

The other debutants are Maddie Feaunati of Exeter Chiefs, Lilli Ives Campion of Loughborough Lightning and Trailfinders’ Abi Burton.

Burton’s selection comes only three years after she was placed in an induced coma after being diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis.

The 25-year-old's journey back to rugby is just one of the many inspiring returns, with Chiefs star Claudia Moloney-McDonald selected a year on from a potentially career-ending neck injury.

Bristol Bears are bringing the firepower in the pack with front row stalwarts Lark Atkin-Davies, Sarah Bern and Hannah Botterman named in the forwards alongside Abbie Ward, who gave birth to daughter Hallie two years ago.

𝗪𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗧 #𝗥𝗪𝗖𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 🌹

🐻 @LarkDavies
🐻 @SarahLily2468
🐻 Hannah Botterman
🐻 @AbbieWard93

Congratulations to our 4️⃣ #BristolBears! pic.twitter.com/yeEIfuSEDw

— Bristol Bears Women 🐻 (@BristolBearsW) July 24, 2025

Four Loughborough Lightning players, including Sadia Kabeya and Helena Rowland, will get the chance to play at one of their home grounds, with Northampton’s Franklin’s Gardens set to host England’s second match.

Four PWR venues are hosting Rugby World Cup matches, with Sale Sharks’ Salford Community Stadium hosting group stage games.

Three Sale Sharks players will play for England at a home World Cup, with Morwenna Talling, Amy Cokayne and Holly Aitchison selected.

Sandy Park in Exeter and Ashton Gate in Bristol will both host knock-out games with the former also staging group games.

Mitchell has named 18 forwards and 14 backs, with Harlequins providing scrum-half Lucy Packer and superstar Ellie Kildunne to the squad.

The World Cup begins with England taking on the USA at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland on 22 August.

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗖𝘂𝗽 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 🤩

These three Sharks have all been selected as part of the @redrosesrugby squad for the Women's @rugbyworldcup

Congratulations Amy Cokayne, Holly Aitchison and Morwenna Talling!

Who's excited to see them this summer? 🔥 pic.twitter.com/YMKeOBvg1p

— Sale Sharks Women (@SaleSharksWomen) July 24, 2025

The Red Roses squad for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup:

Forwards

Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury)

Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears)

Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears)

Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears)

Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women)

May Campbell (Saracens)

Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury)

Kelsey Clifford (Saracens)

Amy Cokayne (Sale Sharks)

Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs)

Rosie Galligan (Saracens)

Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning)

Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning)

Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury)

Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury)

Marlie Packer (Saracens)

Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks)

Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears)

Backs

Holly Aitchison (Sale Sharks)

Jess Breach (Saracens)

Abby Dow (Unattached)

Zoe Harrison (Saracens)

Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury)

Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury)

Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women)

Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins)

Claudia Moloney-McDonald (Exeter Chiefs)

Lucy Packer (Harlequins)

Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning)

Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning)

Jade Shekells (Gloucester-Hartpury)

Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury)