England duo named in Red Roses’ World Cup squad

Back-row Maddie Feaunati and winger Claudia Moloney-MacDonald have been selected for the Red Roses 32-player squad for this year’s much-anticipated Rugby World Cup.

It will be 23-year-old Feaunati’s first World Cup while this will be Moloney-MacDonald’s second having been selected for the 2021 tournament.

Moloney-MacDonald said: “It’s an absolute honour to be named in the England World Cup squad. We’ve put in a lot of work to get to where we are, and we’re ready to put a whole lot more in to get to where we want to be.”

The Exeter Chiefs Women’s duo is currently in camp preparing for England’s warm-up games against Spain on August 2 at Mattioli Woods Welford Road and France on August 9 in Mont-de-Marsan.

Twenty-four of the group have previously competed at a World Cup including captain Zoe Aldcroft, who will lead her country in her third World Cup, supported by 2014 winner Marlie Packer and Olympian Megan Jones as vice-captains. Emily Scarratt is set to compete in her fifth tournament with Alex Matthews and Packer in line for their fourth. 

Feaunati is one of eight World Cup debutants, alongside Abi Burton, May Campbell, Mackenzie Carson, Kelsey Clifford, Lilli Ives Campion, Jade Shekells and Emma Sing.

England 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.

“Every experience and challenge has brought the 32 to this point in their life and career, and they have all earned their place. They should be proud of the opportunity to create history together whilst knowing we have to earn the right to progress throughout the World Cup.

“We’re excited by what’s to come and we’ll continue to work hard into the tournament with our focus on preparing for our opening match against USA in less than a month’s time.” 

Red Roses’ 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup