Venner and Robinson among 32 Red Roses contracts

Gloucester-Hartpury wing Mia Venner and Exeter scrum-half Flo Robinson have full-time England contracts for the first time, having been named among 32 deals for the 2026-27 season.Venner made her England debut in 2020 as a 17-year-old, but had to wait five years before picking up her second cap against Italy in the 2025 Six Nations.Despite finishing as joint-top try-scorer in the 2024-25 PWR season, she missed out on selection for the World Cup. However, Vennuer was part of the squad that won an eighth straight Six Nations this year, appearing in wins over Scotland and Italy as head coach John Mitchell experimented with his back-three options.Robinson, also 24, provides specialist scrum-half cover for Natasha Hunt and Lucy Packer, meaning Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and Helena Rowland, who have been primed to step in at nine in the past, are unlikely to have to swap in from their more accustomed positions in the back line.Lilli Ives Campion, who found herself as England's most experienced second row after a raft of injuries and absences during the Six Nations, is also rewarded with a first full-time contract.Teenager Demelza Short, who made four appearances and two starts in that campaign, is one of six players awarded a transition contract.Zoe Stratford, Abbie Ward and Rosie Galligan, who are all due to give birth later this year, and hooker Lark Atkin-Davies, who welcomed a daughter in June, are all included.Marlie Packer, who scored seven tries during England's Six Nations campaign, is one of three veterans from the Red Roses' World Cup triumphs of both 2014 and 2025, along with Hunt and back row Alex Matthews."Today's announcement recognises a group of competitive and committed players who continue to drive standards every day and represent what this team is all about, as evidenced by our achievements in the 2025-26 season," said Charlie Hayter, England Rugby's head of women's performance."Competition within this squad remains incredibly fierce, and that's one of our greatest strengths."England play Australia, Canada and New Zealand in Manchester, Exeter and London respectively in September, before two Tests against Canada and one against the United States on the other side of the Atlantic in October.Their pursuit of a record-extending ninth successive Six Nations title begins away to Wales on 10 April.Holly Aitchison (Sale Sharks), Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears), Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears), Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears), Jess Breach (Saracens), Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women), May Campbell (Saracens), Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury), Kelsey Clifford (Saracens), Amy Cokayne (Sale Sharks), Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs), Rosie Galligan (Harlequins), Zoe Harrison (Saracens), Tatyana Heard (Sale Sharks), Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury), Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning), Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women), Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning), Ellie Kildunne (Bristol Bears), Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury), Claudia Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs), Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury), Lucy Packer (Harlequins), Marlie Packer (Harlequins), Flo Robinson (Exeter Chiefs), Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning), Jade Shekells (Gloucester-Hartpury), Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury), Zoe Stratford (Sale Sharks), Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks), Mia Venner (Gloucester-Hartpury), Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears)Transition ContractsMillie David (Bristol Bears), Hayley Jones (Trailfinders Women), Haineala Lutui (Loughborough Lightning), Annabel Meta (Trailfinders Women), Sarah Parry (Harlequins), Demelza Short (Bristol Bears)Contracted until 31 October 2026Lizzie Hanlon (transition contract), Connie Powell, and Ella Wyrwas have received short-term contract extensions until the end of October