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Sarah McKenna earns England recall as Red Roses begin WXV preparation

292 days ago

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: Sarah McKenna of England during the TikTok Women's Six Nations match between England and Italy at Franklin's Gardens on April 02, 2023 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

Sarah McKenna has received her first England call-up under John Mitchell as part of a training squad that contains eight uncapped players.

McKenna, 35, has won 45 caps but has not featured for the Red Roses since the end of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations 2023 and continued her transition into coaching last season, assisting England U20 head coach LJ Lewis.

However, she enjoyed a strong finish to the season and helped club side Saracens to victory in April’s Allianz Cup final and into the Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby play-offs, where they lost to Bristol Bears.

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That form has earned McKenna a place in England’s 40-player training squad as the Red Roses begin their preparation for the defence of their WXV 1 title in Canada in September and October.

Meanwhile, a host of uncapped players have been called up by Mitchell for the five-week camp, which began on Monday.

Prop Simi Pam, second-row Lilli Ives Campion, back-rows Georgia Brock and Steph Else, centres Nancy McGillivray and Phoebe Murray, and back-three players Katie Buchanan and Bo Westcombe-Evans will all be hoping to force their way into contention for selection ahead of England’s warm-up matches against France and New Zealand in September.

Ellie Kildunne and Megan Jones have not been included due to their Olympic commitments with Great Britain, but will join up with England following the conclusion of the women’s sevens tournament at Paris 2024.

Sarah Beckett, Grace Clifford, Lizzie Hanlon. Sadia Kabeya, Claudia MacDonald, Connie Powell and Mia Venner will attend the first two days of camp before continuing their rehabilitation back at their clubs.

Head Coach Mitchell said: “Our first camp of 2024/25 allows us to reset what we stand for and how we will carry ourselves as Red Roses moving forward.

“Our game is working, and we have an opportunity to dial it up again. There is a massive amount of room to improve individually and evolve our game over the next five weeks.”

Following their warm-up matches against France and New Zealand, the Red Roses will travel to Canada where they are due to play the hosts, USA and the Black Ferns in the second edition of WXV 1 between September 27th – October 12th.

England training squad

Forwards:
Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 61 caps)
Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 47 caps)
Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 15 caps)
Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 8 caps)
Liz Crake (Trailfinders Women, 2 caps)
Laura Keates (Loughborough Lightning, 62 caps)
Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 30 caps)
Simi Pam (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 57 caps)
May Campbell (Saracens, 1 cap)
Amy Cokayne (Leicester Tigers, 74 caps)
Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 53 caps)
Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 16 caps)
Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning, uncapped)
Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 30 caps)
Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 65 caps)
Maisy Allen (Exeter Chiefs, 5 caps)
Georgia Brock (Gloucester-Hartpury, uncapped)
Poppy Cleall (Saracens, 65 caps)
Steph Else (Gloucester-Hartpury, uncapped)
Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 5 caps)
Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 67 caps)
Marlie Packer (Saracens, 104 caps)
Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 13 caps)

Backs:
Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 72 caps)
Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 21 caps)
Ella Wyrwas (Saracens, 6 caps)
Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 30 caps)
Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 49 caps)
Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 22 caps)
Nancy McGillivray (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Phoebe Murray (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 111 caps)
Jess Breach (Saracens, 38 caps)
Katie Buchanan (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women, 45 caps)
Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 6 caps)
Bo Westcombe-Evans (Loughorough Lightning, uncapped)
Sarah McKenna (Saracens, 45 caps)
Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 29 caps)

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 4 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 4 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 4 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 4 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 4 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 4 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍

37 Go to comments

NB 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Always the same at the other place. Some of those perceptions of him at the Tahs - lazy, overweight and slow - were impossible to shift!

37 Go to comments

NB 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Hang on to Miz Carlos!

37 Go to comments

LONG READ

LONG READ 'If any Welsh side makes the URC knockout games, it will be worth applauding’ 'If any Welsh side makes the URC knockout games, it will be worth applauding’

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Sarah McKenna earns England recall as Red Roses begin WXV preparation

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