John Mitchell in a huddle with his England squad - Getty Images/Alex DavidsonEngland head coach John Mitchell has called for the squad sizes for the Women’s Rugby World Cup to be brought in line with those for the men’s.
Mitchell, whose side survived a nervy test against France to claim a fourth straight Grand Slam at Twickenham on Saturday, faces the daunting task of whittling down his 37-player Women’s Six Nations squad to 32 by the end of July for a home World Cup. But he believes it is “strange” that he has to choose one fewer player than men’s teams do.
World Rugby has already finalised the 32-player squad size for this year’s women’s showpiece, but teams that competed at the 2023 men’s tournament in France could select 33 players.
New Zealand, Canada, Samoa, Australia, United States and Brazil are among the nations from around the world who will compete at the tournament in England later this year, which is set to smash attendance records for a Women’s Rugby World Cup.
“I’m definitely going to take 18 [forwards]-14 [backs] so some positional versatility is going to be important among the backs [but] it seems strange that the men’s World Cup is 33 [players] and we’re only 32 and the teams have to come all this way,” said Mitchell, who has been involved in three men’s World Cups in different guises throughout his lengthy coaching career.
“World Rugby will probably need to consider it going forward because otherwise you are going to have to wait for players to be flown from overseas. They create rules even for the home team – I don’t think you can bring people in immediately. I think you have to wait until the 24-hour flight rule or whatever it is because the overseas teams would have to wait to bring their players in. I think 33 seems to be the right number, like [in] the men’s game.”
Maud Muir is considered among the certainties to be included in England’s World Cup squad - AP/Alastair GrantWorld Rugby’s rationale for the lower number is based on the fact that women’s teams competing at the 16-team tournament this summer will play three pool matches compared to four for the men at the 2023 World Cup.
Women’s squad sizes were increased from 30 to 32 players ahead of the 2022 World Cup in New Zealand – a decision that was taken in partnership with participating unions – to allow for extra cover because of Covid-19.
It is unclear whether budget could also be a contributing factor. At the last Women’s World Cup in New Zealand, England would have faced costs in the region of £3,000 in flights, food and accommodation to bring over a travelling reserve player for a two-month period.
With almost 100 days to go until the tournament, which kicks off with England’s opening match against the US in Sunderland on August 22, the 32-player squad size is set to remain unchanged for this year’s showpiece.
Mitchell also confirmed he has no plans to pit his Red Roses against England age-grade men’s teams as he ramps up preparation for the tournament – a practice that happened under his predecessor Simon Middleton.
England took part in non-contact training against top men’s university teams under their former head coach ahead of the 2022 World Cup, for speed and defensive resetting purposes.
“We’ll just train among ourselves,” said Mitchell. “We’ve probably advanced a lot more. If we can have the competition there might be a consideration [but] I’m not so informed in that area. I know some of the staff have experienced it before and have said that the girls have really got up for it, but I’m confident in the way we prepare – we get enough failure and enough tension.
A match day like no other at @allianz_stad 🤩🌹@allianzuknews | #AllianzStadiumpic.twitter.com/5badMLH3GZ
— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) April 27, 2025“We have talked about building pressure in our own training. Hopefully the girls who have now had an experience of Allianz understand what pressure is like in Test rugby. The fact that your basics have to be good under pressure.”
The Red Roses will be under enormous pressure to avenge their 2017 and 2022 World Cup final defeats to New Zealand, but Mitchell has already started the mind games by deflecting pressure away from his side, who are favourites to reach the final on Sept 27.
“If all things go to plan they [New Zealand] will be on the other side if we deal with that and earn the right,” said Mitchell. “But I think New Zealand are on for a three-peat in World Cups so there’s probably more pressure on them to win a World Cup than us.”
England World Cup squad 2025: Players nailed on and who could miss out
England came through a nerve-jangling Test against France at Twickenham to successfully defend their Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam crown with a 43-42 win.
In what was the match of the championship, the Red Roses survived a late fightback from a spirited France outfit and the occasion marked the last time John Mitchell’s side will play at the national stadium before a potential World Cup final later this year.
“We worked out that after today 95 per cent of the girls that are likely to go to the World Cup have all had experience of playing in the stadium,” said Mitchell, who is expected to name his 32-player squad at the end of July. “Now we’ve got a chance to enjoy ourselves on a break and come back and earn the right to contest here again.”
After a campaign that saw fresh faces and new combinations, Telegraph Sport assesses which Red Roses have already secured their place in the World Cup squad, who is putting their hand up for selection and those who could miss out.
Zoe Aldcroft seems assured of her World Cup spot after captaining England to Six Nations glory on Saturday - Getty Images/Alex DavidsonNailed-on certainties
Holly Aitchison, Zoe Aldcroft, Lark Atkin-Davies, Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman, Amy Cokayne, Abby Dow, Maddie Feaunati, Zoe Harrison, Tatyana Heard, Natasha Hunt, Megan Jones, Ellie Kildunne, Claudia MacDonald, Alex Matthews, Maud Muir, Lucy Packer, Morwenna Talling, Abbie Ward.
Everyone in this group except Maddie Feaunati has been involved in at least one World Cup before, and at a home tournament that experience will be crucial. They have also been pillars of consistency in the Red Roses squad for some time. England’s forward pack might have been a bit off-colour against France but led by the peerless Zoe Aldcroft, they remain an indomitable force. Mackenzie Carson would be in this group were it not for the loosehead’s Achilles injury, which could present an opportunity for someone else. Winger Claudia MacDonald has impressed the most given she missed the entirety of last year with a career-threatening neck injury and has spent this Six Nations making up for lost time. The fly-half debate will no doubt continue rumbling but after a successful championship and big-match performance against France, Zoe Harrison looks primed for the role.
Sadia Kabeya is a rising star for England yet missed out entirely against France on Saturday - Getty Images/Alex DavidsonPutting their hand up
Jess Breach, Abi Burton, May Campbell, Mackenzie Carson, Kelsey Clifford, Rosie Galligan, Sadia Kabeya, Helena Rowland, Jade Shekells, Emma Sing.
These are the in-betweeners. Abi Burtonsqueezed the most into her limited match-day minutes but she is yet to elevate herself to starter status within England’s pack. May Campbell is a serious operator and you have to feel for her given the stern competition at No 2, but she has edged ahead of Connie Powell in the hooker hierarchy.
The most surprising candidate in this group is Sadia Kabeya, whose rise has been meteoric in this World Cup cycle, but she missed out entirely against France. The openside flanker is still banking minutes after a stop-start domestic season because of injury and the expectation is that she will be safe. After an injury-disrupted year, Jess Breach will fight for her place on the wing, having being overtaken by MacDonald. Meanwhile, Jade Shekells is still relatively new to the XVs environment and has technical aspects to work on.
Marlie Packer has been a tremendous servant for England but now finds herself on the periphery of the squad - Getty Images/Alex LiveseyIn danger of missing out
Sarah Beckett, Georgia Brock, Lizzie Hanlon, Lilli Ives Campion, Charlotte Fray, Marlie Packer, Connie Powell, Flo Robinson, Emily Scarratt, Mia Venner, Ella Wyrwas.
With the domestic season already done and dusted, these individuals have limited opportunities to make their case with the World Cup moving ever closer. England will take on Spain and France in two warm-up matches in early August and both will be a chance for periphery players to stake their claim for selection.
Marlie Packer is probably the biggest talking point as her sharp descent has been dramatic. England’s former captain featured just twice in the Six Nations and while she might be a calming presence and a bona-fide leader, she was left out entirely against France. There are also question marks over Emily Scarratt, England’s heroine from the 2014 World Cup win and for so long a poster girl for the women’s game. Despite her impeccable skill set, Scarratt not the pacey player she once was.
Sarah Beckett’s and Lizzie Hanlon’s non-involvement would suggest they have a lot of catching up to do, while Georgia Brock and Lilli Ives Campion have a gargantuan task to upset a back row that is already well established. You can never say never with someone like Mia Venner, but her reintroduction to Test rugby after such a strong domestic season might have come too late.
English (US) ·