Red Roses name team for Australia WXV opener

England head coach John Mitchell has named the Red Roses side to face Australia at CorpAcq Stadium on Saturday, with Holly Aitchison set to win her 50th international cap in the opening match of the WXV Global Series home leg.

Holly Aitchison set for 50th England cap

Aitchison returns at fly-half for her milestone appearance as Mitchell makes five changes from the side that defeated France in May to complete a fifth successive Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam.

World Cup winners Tatyana Heard and Natasha Hunt return from injury, with Heard selected in the centres and Hunt reclaiming the scrum-half jersey.

May Campbell starts at hooker, while Mia Venner comes onto the wing to form a back three alongside Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and Ellie Kildunne.

Red Roses welcome key players back from injury

England have also received a boost on the replacements bench, where Hannah Botterman and Morwenna Talling return after injury absences.

However, Saracens prop Kelsey Clifford has been ruled out of the entire WXV Global Series with a hamstring injury. Liz Crake has been called into the wider squad as her replacement.

Mitchell said England’s pre-season focus had been on building stronger connections and raising the intensity of their preparation ahead of the new campaign.

"Connection is such an important part of life, but particularly in sport. The girls have worked hard in pre-season to deepen their bond and that will make us stronger on the field," said Mitchell.

"We're excited to get our WXV Global Series under way and aim to excite and entertain."

England begin WXV Global Series at home

Saturday’s Test against Australia takes place at Sale Sharks’ CorpAcq Stadium in Salford.

England then face Canada at Sandy Park on September 19 in a repeat of the 2025 Rugby World Cup final before hosting New Zealand at Allianz Stadium on September 26.

The Red Roses will continue their WXV Global Series campaign in North America during October, with fixtures in Canada and the United States.

England XV: 15 Ellie Kildunne, 14 Mia Venner, 13 Megan Jones (c), 12 Tatyana Heard, 11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, 10 Holly Aitchison, 9 Natasha Hunt; 1 Mackenzie Carson, 2 May Campbell, 3 Sarah Bern, 4 Delaney Burns. 5 Lilli Ives Campion, 6 Abi Burton, 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Maddie Feaunati.

Reserves: 16 Bryony Field, 17 Hannah Botterman, 18 Maud Muir, 19 Morwenna Talling, 20 Marlie Packer, 21 Lucy Packer, 22 Zoe Harrison, 23 Helena Rowland.