Are you ready to cheer on this team this weekend?
BY AIMEE BUTLER , IMAGES VIA INSTAGRAM (@HANNAHBOTTS_, @CLAUD_MACDONALD, @THANKSMEG)
This weekend, we will see the Red Roses advance closer to the coveted title of champions as they take on Australia on Saturday.
The girls have already delivered several times since the tournament began, most recently solidifying their status as hopeful victors and an unbeatable force, beating Samoa 92-3 to secure their place in the quarterfinals.
This year’s World Cup has also highlighted the inclusivity of women’s rugby, with 10% of players across all participating teams identifying as LGBTQIA+.
England’s Red Roses lead the pack, with nine players on the squad – let’s take a look!
Holly Aitchison
Since scoring a try on her international debut in 2021, Aitchison has won 40 caps for England and became an Olympian, before recently signing for Sale Sharks for the upcoming season.
She is also making her mark outside the rugby sphere. As a powerful activist for mental health awareness and body positivity, Aitchison has worked with various fashion and beauty brands, aiming to challenge the stereotypes women face in rugby.
Holly is in a relationship with England teammate Hannah Botterman.
Sarah Bern
Bristol Bears and England prop, Sarah Bern, made her international debut in 2016. This will be her third World Cup, after she was England’s youngest player at the 2017 World Cup.
Bern is a vocal advocate for LGBTQIA+ representation and body positivity. She has stated that “Rugby is incredibly inclusive”, and she was not typically anxious about coming out due to the diverse range of people she was surrounded by.
“Growing up, there were a lot of gay people in the older age groups, so I didn’t even know that I was different in a way because everyone was accepting of everyone.”
Hannah Botterman
Hannah Botterman has 59 caps for England and made her debut in 2017 at 18. Since then, she has become a mainstay for the national team, performing in several Six Nations and securing numerous Grand Slam titles.
Botterman is engaged to teammate Holly Aitchison and has praised women’s rugby for its progressive environment and the visibility the sport provides to the queer community.
“As far as sports go, rugby is probably up there with better representation…”
“It’s about being seen, representing the community and being role models for young girls and boys.”
Mackenzie Carson
Canadian-born but a Red Rose at heart, Mackenzie Carson is a powerful prop for the English national team and Gloucester-Hartpury.
After beginning her rugby career in Canada, she represented the nation three times before switching her allegiance to England and making her debut in 2023.
She is in a relationship with teammate Sarah Bern.
Amy Cokayne
England hooker Cokayne has over 50 caps for England, and this will be her third World Cup. She will be joining Sale Sharks for the 2025/26 season.
Cokayne is also a member of the Royal Air Force, joining after the 2017 World Cup. She thought she should “find a career outside of rugby” as the women’s team was not yet professional.
Cokayne is in a relationship with Welsh rugby player Bethan Dainton.
Rose Galligan
After multiple injuries and setbacks, including a life-threatening case of meningitis, Galligan has fought her way back into the England squad. She plays in the second row for England and Saracens Women.
She has spoken on the legacy she hopes to leave in the wake of the tournament, stating, “Not only have you got family and friends watching, but all the home supporters and all the young girls who we could inspire.”
“As a team, we’ll let the rugby do the talking and hopefully the rest will look after itself.”
Galligan is engaged to teammate Marlie Packer.
Megan Jones
Megan Jones is a Welsh and English rugby player who plays for England and Trailfinders Women. She has strong international experience and also travelled to the Olympics in Tokyo as part of Team GB.
Jones is dating fellow rugby star Celia Quansah and uses her platform to increase visibility and normalise queer identities and relationships.
“I’m so proud to be part of this community. I’ll always try and fight the fight, be present, be visible and not shy away from it.”
“I think rugby is one of the biggest supporters and advocates of the LGBTQ+ community. The biggest thing is representation and visibility – that matters.”
Claudia MacDonald
MacDonald has made over 30 appearances for England and recently signed a new contract for the Exeter Chiefs.
She has previously spoken about the difficulties she faced as a child in accepting herself. Labelled a tomboy, MacDonald declined opportunities to play rugby out of fear it would only perpetuate people’s opinion of her as “pretty much a boy”.
She now encourages people to be themselves and embrace their differences in pursuit of their passions.
“Having an inclusive environment encourages diversity. And that’s not just within LGBTQ+, I think that’s within everything.”
MacDonald married Irish rugby player Cliodhna Moloney in Greece in 2024.
Marlie Packer
Already with a World Cup win under her belt, Marlie Packer is ready to bring it home for a second time this year.
She has over 100 caps for England, bringing a wealth of experience and leadership to the team, and this will be her fourth World Cup.
Packer is engaged to fellow Red Rose, Rose Galligan.
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