Legendary wing Lydia Thompson has been named in England’s 37-player pre-season training squad ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Thompson, who won her 50th Red Roses cap against USA at Sixways last autumn, will be itching to impress selectors as preparations step up in the build-up to the World Cup in New Zealand later this year.
More camps are planned throughout August, with two internationals against USA (Saturday 3 September, Sandy Park, kick-off 3pm) and Wales (Tuesday 14 September, Ashton Gate, kick-off 7.30pm) scheduled to take place.
“It goes without saying, this is a big season for the Red Roses, with this calendar year alone culminating in the tournament in New Zealand,” said England Head Coach Simon Middleton.
“I’m really pleased with the feel of the squad. We have plenty of experience, a sprinkling of really talented young players and players who will be coming back into the set-up after a period out. I feel that the balance is very good and the competitive levels will be very high.”
Forwards
Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Sarah Beckett (Harlequins)
Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears)
Hannah Botterman (Saracens)
Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins)
Bryony Cleall (Wasps)
Poppy Cleall (Saracens)
Amy Cokayne (Harlequins)
Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins)
Lark Davies (Bristol Bears)
Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens)
Rosie Galligan (Harlequins)*
Sarah Hunter (Loughborough Lightning)
Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning)*
Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning)
Marlie Packer (Saracens)
Connie Powell (Gloucester-Hartpury)*
Morwenna Talling (Loughborough Lightning)*
Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears)
Backs
Holly Aitchison (Saracens)
Jess Breach (Harlequins)
Abby Dow (Wasps)
Zoe Harrison (Saracens)
Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury)*
Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins)
Claudia MacDonald (Wasps)*
Sarah McKenna (Saracens)
Lucy Packer (Harlequins)
Amber Reed (Bristol Bears)
Leanne Infante (Bristol Bears)
Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning)
Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning)
Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury)*
Lydia Thompson (Worcester Warriors)
*denotes non-contracted player
The forthcoming pre-season training camps act as crucial preparation for the team’s Rugby World Cup 2021 campaign which begins on 8 October. Tickets are now available here.