John Mitchell has unveiled the England Women’s Six Nations squad for 2026, featuring an exciting mix of experience and fresh talent as the Red Roses aim to defend their title for the eighth consecutive year. This announcement comes as they prepare to kick off their campaign against Ireland at Allianz Stadium, where they are expected to play in front of a record crowd.
Among the notable selections, seven uncapped players have made the squad, including Christiana Balogun, Millie David, Haineala Lutui, Annabel Meta, Sarah Parry, Demelza Short, and Jodie Verghese, all of whom will be looking to earn their first international caps. Yet, the squad will miss the contributions of three key players—captain Zoe Stratford, Abbie Ward, and Lark Atkin-Davies—who have announced they are pregnant and will not participate in this year’s tournament.
In the absence of Stratford, centre Meg Jones has been appointed as captain for the tournament, with Alex Matthews and Amy Cokayne stepping in as co-captains. Mitchell expressed his confidence in the squad’s composition, emphasizing the importance of embracing recent energy from younger players whereas relying on the experience of veterans.
“The impact of the tournament across the country has been outstanding, and it’s reflected in the incredible ticket sales—not just for our matches at Allianz Stadium and Ashton Gate, but across the Six Nations as a whole,” Mitchell stated. “As Red Roses, what comes next is a fresh start. The Six Nations is hugely important to us, and we know success in this competition has to be earned every time.”
England Women’s Six Nations Squad 2026
The squad is split into forwards and backs, showcasing a strong lineup:
Forwards (22)
- Christiana Balogun (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
- Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 79 caps)
- Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 62 caps)
- Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women, 4 caps)
- May Campbell (Saracens, 5 caps)
- Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 23 caps)
- Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 21 caps)
- Amy Cokayne (Sale Sharks, 89 caps) – vice captain
- Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 23 caps)
- Liz Hanlon (Harlequins, 1 cap)
- Daisy Hibbert-Jones (Loughborough Lightning, 1 cap)
- Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning, 5 caps)
- Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 28 caps)
- Haineala Lutui (Loughborough Lightning, uncapped)
- Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 81 caps) – vice captain
- Annabel Meta (Trailfinders Women, uncapped)
- Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 48 caps)
- Marlie Packer (Saracens, 112 caps)
- Connie Powell (Harlequins, 19 caps)
- Demelza Short (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
- Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 28 caps)
- Jodie Verghese (Saracens, uncapped)
Backs (16)
- Holly Aitchison (Sale Sharks, 44 caps)
- Jess Breach (Saracens, 53 caps)
- Millie David (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
- Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 65 caps)
- Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 36 caps)
- Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 88 caps)
- Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women, 33 caps) – captain
- Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 57 caps)
- Claudia Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 36 caps)
- Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 38 caps)
- Sarah Parry (Harlequins, uncapped)
- Flo Robinson (Exeter Chiefs, 1 cap)
- Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 46 caps)
- Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 13 caps)
- Mia Venner (Gloucester-Hartpury, 2 caps)
- Bo Westcombe-Evans (Loughborough Lightning, 2 caps)
Looking Ahead
The Red Roses’ first match of the 2026 Six Nations is a significant occasion as they aim to assert their dominance once again. The squad’s ability to blend youthful exuberance with seasoned expertise will be crucial as they navigate the challenges ahead. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this new lineup performs under pressure, especially as they seek to maintain their storied success in the tournament.
As the tournament approaches, the anticipation builds not only for the matches but likewise for the potential of the new players stepping onto the international stage. The England Women’s team is set to make a strong impression, and supporters are encouraged to follow the action and share their thoughts on social media.
