Campion and Brock named in England WXV squad

Lilli Ives Campion and Georgia Brock made their England debuts this month

WXV

Venue: Vancouver and Langley, Canada (WXV1) and Cape Town, South Africa (WXV2) Dates: 27 September - 12 October Coverage: Live on BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer

Flanker Georgia Brock and second row Lilli Ives Campion and have been selected in England's 30-player squad for the WXV campaign.

Campion, 20, and Brock, 23, won their solitary Test caps during the wins over France and New Zealand this month.

There is no place for former captain Poppy Cleall, who was a key part of England's past two World Cup campaigns.

Hooker Connie Powell returns from injury and is preferred to May Campbell.

Two uncapped prospects – Loughborough wing Bo Westcombe-Evans and Bristol centre Pheobe Murray – are named among the backs.

Marlie Packer captains the squad, with Zoe Aldcroft and Natasha Hunt continuing as vice-captains.

Brock's physical approach reminded head coach John Mitchell of his skipper.

"Georgia is a mini Marlie I think," he said.

"She has come through a very good PWR season and she is good in continuity and the tackle.

"For her to her to be under Marlie and learning is huge. I like the way he creates and regains momentum, she is a lady of not many words and defines herself though actions. She has got an exciting future."

Cleall has featured only once since Mitchell took charge last autumn.

She was picked as part of his 2024 Six Nations squad, but did not play in the first two matches before a cut to her knee in training ended her campaign.

She subsequently lost her central contract with England, although did make an appearance off the bench in the win over France earlier this month.

"I kind of thought I had one more year in me as a professional, but that was someone else's choice," 32-year-old Cleall told Contested.

She said she had phoned Mitchell to signal her intention to fight for her international place.

"My aim and my plan is still to go with the World Cup with England," she said.

Cleall was nominated for World Player of the Year in 2021 but has slipped from first choice under Mitchell's leadership

A 32-strong squad at the Rugby World Cup will create extra opportunities, but Mitchell added that Cleall needs to become more mobile and explosive to match his playing style.

"There is still that opportunity, but she is under no illusions of what is required," he said.

"Physically the game is getting quicker and she is going to have to meet that demand.

"When you are an impact player, we can't afford for that player to be a plodder - that player has to lift the tempo of the game."

England travel to Canada as WXV champions, having won the inaugural tournament in New Zealand in November.

They play the United States on 29 September before matches against New Zealand and Canada on the following two weekends.

England are on a 17-match winning streak, stretching back to their defeat by New Zealand in the World Cup final in 2022.

They are top of the world rankings – more than seven points clear of second-placed New Zealand – and hot favourites to win WXV before next year's home World Cup.

BBC Sport will show all matches in WXV1 and WXV2 on BBC iPlayer, online and on the BBC Sport mobile app.

England squad for WXV

Forwards

Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury), Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears), Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears), Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears), Georgia Brock (Gloucester-Hartpury), Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury), Amy Cokayne (Leicester Tigers), Kelsey Clifford (Saracens), Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs), Rosie Galligan (Saracens), Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning), Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury), Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury), Marlie Packer (Saracens), Connie Powell (Harlequins), Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks), Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears)

Backs

Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears), Jess Breach (Saracens), Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women), Zoe Harrison (Saracens), Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury), Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury), Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins), Phoebe Murray (Bristol Bears), Lucy Packer (Harlequins), Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning), Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning), Bo Westcombe-Evans (Loughborough Lightning), Ella Wyrwas (Saracens)