Red Roses World Cup squad announced: Zoe Aldcroft to skipper strong 32-player group - 'Selection process is never easy'
Updated 24/07/2025 at 10:59 GMT+1
The Red Roses squad has been announced for the forthcoming 2025 Women's World Cup, with John Mitchell naming a strong 32-player group for the home tournament, which will be led by Zoe Aldcroft, who continues her role as captain after taking over from Marlie Packer earlier this year. Gloucester-Hartpury's Natasha Hunt has been called up, while Emily Scarratt will play in her fifth World Cup.
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Zoe Aldcroft will lead England into the 2025 Women's World Cup on home soil, with John Mitchell naming a 32-player squad for the tournament.
Aldcroft stepped in as captain to take over from Marlie Parker in January and will continue to skipper the side, having guided them to a Women's Six Nations Grand Slam.
"To lead the team into a home Rugby World Cup is an incredible feeling," she said following the announcement.
"This group have a fantastic opportunity to inspire young boys and girls all over the country - it’s something we have spoken about as a collective and we’re relishing the chance to do so.
"Pulling on the white shirt is always a massive privilege and we can’t wait to do that, backed by our amazing home support," she said.
Scrum-half Natasha Hunt - who missed out on a place in the squad in 2022 - has been selected, while Emily Scarratt will become the first English player to feature at five World Cups.
The 35-year-old centre first played at a World Cup in 2010 before ending the 2014 tournament as top points scorer as the Red Roses won the title.
Eight players will be playing at a World Cup for the first time, including Abi Burton, Kelsey Clifford and Mackenzie Carson.
Red Roses head coach John 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."
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England will kick off the tournament against the United States on Friday, August 22, at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.
They will go on to play Samoa and Australia in Pool A.
The final is at Twickenham on Saturday, 27 September.
England are hoping to extend their incredible winning run, which has seen them victorious in all 25 matches they have played since their World Cup final defeat to New Zealand in 2022.
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