Meg Jones: “We need to win every game, regardless”

The Red Roses will kick off their WXV Global Series Campaign this weekend at the CorpAcq Stadium in Salford. The occasion marks the first time the Roses have played a test match in the North West in 28 years.

Head coach John Mitchell has named his side to face Australia, making five changes from the team who beat France in May to secure their Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam.

“We know we won’t be perfect, but there’s a lot of belief and experience within this squad,” Mitchell says. “We’ll be using that to evolve and develop our game at the weekend.

“This tournament almost feels like an audition for the 2029 World Cup; we’ll be travelling a fair distance, using facilities and training on fields that we aren’t used to.

“We have to adapt to those environments, which elevates the importance of the connections we have. Continuing to develop our craft and confidence in the way we play is crucial.”

Captain Meg Jones will feature in Saturday’s squad, leading the team out alongside vice-captain, Sadia Kabeya.

“Mitch’s challenge is to always keep us curious and motivated, and to make sure we have a purpose going into each game,” Jones says. “That man always keeps us on our toes and pushes us in the right direction.

“We love playing as a Red Roses squad and showcasing our talent. Playing against the likes of the Black Ferns and Canada in this tournament is a great challenge for elite players.

“We’ve got a real hunger to keep driving the game forward and know that we have to beat the best to be the best.”

This year’s WXV competition has been revamped from that of previous years, designed to provide high performance certainty and a clear qualification pathway for the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Though, notably the teams within the tournament will no longer compete for a trophy.

“It’s always nice to have something tangible at the end of a tournament, but I don’t do this for trophies," says Jones.

“Although there’s not necessarily any consequence to losing, I know the mentality of this team and how competitive we are. There’s an understanding that we need to win every game, regardless.”

Elsewhere in the rugby calendar, the JAECOO PWR Next Gen Cup kicks off during the WXV Global Series, on Saturday 19th September.

The Next Gen Cup is comprised of a pool stage, involving each of the nine JAECOO PWR clubs, followed by a knockout stage for the top qualifiers.

“The pathway is critical,” says Mitchell. “We need all of our young English girls to be playing rugby, so the more rugby they play, the better.”

Alongside her international captaincy and club career with Trailfinders Women, Jones coaches Brunel University Women’s Rugby. Some of these players will have the opportunity to represent Trailfinders Women during the Next Gen Cup.

On a player to watch during the tournament, Jones says:

“Sophie Molton, who plays number 9 at Brunel, She’s a young player, and a very good leader.

“The Next Gen Cup gives players a great opportunity to gain experience but also step up and develop leadership qualities. They have the freedom to get things wrong and learn from them.”

See the full list of JAECOO PWR Next Gen Cup fixtures HERE.