The RFU has today announced the players who have been awarded contracts for its women’s senior players, the Red Roses – with Sadia Kabeya, Cath O’Donnell, Helena Rowland and Emily Scarratt amongst the 32-player list.
The contracted players have been selected by incoming Red Roses Head Coach, John Mitchell, with his coaching team of Louis Deacon, Lou Meadows and former Lightning captain Sarah Hunter – alongside the RFU’s Executive Director of Performance, Conor O’Shea, and Head of Women’s Performance, Charlie Hayter.
The new contracts come as part of a three-year agreement – agreed in collaboration with the Rugby Players’ Association and player representatives – and will cover salaries, match fees, Rugby World Cup 2025 arrangements, commercial and community engagement initiatives, as well as an agreement around revenue sharing if business targets are exceeded.
Six transition contracts have also been awarded to support aspiring Red Roses, with Lightning’s Grace Clifford and Lilli Ives Campion included, with these contracts assisting in their early professional journey, and safeguarding some of their week for dedicated rugby development.
Charlie Hayter, RFU Head of Women’s Performance said: “We are pleased to confirm the players offered contracts who will form the Red Roses contracted player squad for the 2023/24 season.
“This is a hugely exciting time for the Red Roses, especially with our home World Cup on the horizon in 2025. However, we know there is a lot of work to do before then, and we are excited to bring the group together shortly to start preparations for WXV which will be the immediate focus for us all.”
RFU Contracted Players
Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears)
Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Sarah Beckett (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears)
Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears)
Jess Breach (Saracens)
Mackenzie Carson (TBC)
Poppy Cleall (Saracens)
Kelsey Clifford (Saracens)
Amy Cokayne (Leicester Tigers)
Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins)
Lark Davies (Bristol Bears)
Abby Dow (Ealing Trailfinders)
Rosie Galligan (Saracens)
Zoe Harrison (Saracens)
Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Megan Jones (Leicester Tigers)
Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning)
Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins)
Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Claudia MacDonald (Exeter)
Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning)
Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks)
Lucy Packer (Harlequins)
Marlie Packer (Saracens)
Connie Powell (Harlequins)
Amber Reed (Bristol Bears)
Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning)
Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning)
Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears)
RFU Transition Contracted Players
Maisy Allen (Exeter)
Grace Clifford (Loughborough Lightning)
Katie Buchanan (Exeter)
Lizzie Duffy (Sale Sharks)
Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning)
Nancy McGillivary (Exeter)
