QUINS DUO MAKE RED ROSES WORLD CUP SQUAD
Harlequins players Ellie Kildunne and Lucy Packer have both been named in John Mitchell’s Red Roses squad for the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
Both were part of the squad that travelled to New Zealand three years ago and they will now have the chance to play for their country in a home tournament.
Mitchell’s squad comprises 18 forwards and 14 backs, averaging an age of 26, with a combined 1,374 international caps.
Twenty-four of the group have previously competed at a World Cup, including Kildunne and Packer.
Mitchell said: “It is a rare and awesome opportunity for this group to represent the Red Roses at a home World Cup.”
“The selection process is never easy. It’s been a thorough two-year process to select the right blend of positional cover, skill, mindset and connection – we believe this is a squad that can win the World Cup.
“Every experience and challenge has brought the 32 to this point in their life and career, and they have all earned their place. They should be proud of the opportunity to create history together whilst knowing we have to earn the right to progress throughout the World Cup.
“We’re excited by what’s to come and we’ll continue to work hard into the tournament with our focus on preparing for our opening match against USA in less than a month’s time.”
THE RED ROSES SQUAD HEADING TO THE 2025 WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP:
Forwards (18):
Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 63 caps)
Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 66 caps)
Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 71 caps)
Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 56 caps)
Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women, 2 caps)
May Campbell (Saracens, 3 caps)
Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 21 caps)
Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 13 caps)
Amy Cokayne (Sale Sharks, 83 caps)
Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 15 caps)
Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 24 caps)
Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning, 2 caps)
Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 21 caps)
Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 75 caps)
Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 40 caps)
Marlie Packer (Saracens, 110 caps)
Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 22 caps)
Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 74 caps)
Backs (14):
Holly Aitchison (Sale Sharks, 40 caps)
Jess Breach (Saracens, 45 caps)
Abby Dow (Unattached, 52 caps)
Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 57 caps)
Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 29 caps)
Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 80 caps)
Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women, 25 caps)
Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 52 caps)
Claudia Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 35 caps)
Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 31 caps)
Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 39 caps)
Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 118 caps)
Jade Shekells (Gloucester-Hartpury, 2 caps)
Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 8 caps)