Natasha Hunt and Lucy Packer have been recalled by interim coach Louis Deacon with Mitchell poised to have no involvement in the tournament
Scrum-halves Natasha Hunt and Lucy Packer have been included in England’s squad for the inaugural WXV tournament after interim coach Louis Deacon named his 30-player group.
Hunt controversially missed out on the Red Roses’ World Cup selection last year, while Packer’s fitness had looked in doubt after injuring her ankle in England’s second series win over Canada.
There are also call-ups for recent debutants Maisy Allen and Sophie Bridger, while sevens specialist Meg Jones, who impressed in England’s victories over Canada, also makes the cut. Jones, alongside her centre partner Helena Rowland, will likely serve as backups to fly-half Holly Aitchison.
The Red Roses’ squad for the top tier of the competition in New Zealand, which will see them face Australia, Canada and the Black Ferns, was chosen without any input from incoming head coach John Mitchell, who will take over after the men’s World Cup, where he is in his current role as Japan’s defence coach.