Olympian Burton called up to England squad

In addition to the Trailfinders Women’s back row Abi Burton, England head coach John Mitchell has named four uncapped players to his first 2025 training squad.

Olympian Burton, 24, nearly lost her life in 2022, after being diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis, which occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the brain.

She was placed in Team GB’s sevens squad as a reserve for the summer of the Paris Olympics after 25 days in an induced coma, where she learned to walk and talk again.

She won her second Olympic competition after competing in Tokyo in 2021 when she faced China in Paris’ semi-finals in Paris.

Since returning to the XVs with the Trailfinders Women, the former Wasps back row has impressed in the Premiership Women’s Rugby League, and she has stated that her goal is to one day become a Red Rose.

The other uncapped players are Loughborough Lightning center Fran Goldthorp, Bristol Bears wing Reneeqa Bonner, and Exeter Chiefs scrumhalf Flo Robinson.

In place of Saracens flanker Marlie Packer, who is a member of the 38-player training squad, on Thursday, Mitchell announced lock Zoe Alcroft as head coach of the Red Roses in 2025.

The Six Nations Grand Slam defense will begin on March 23 against Italy in York, and the squad will gather on Monday for a three-day camp.

Forwards

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

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