Teen hooker added to Red Roses
- England coach John Mitchell called up Trailfinders hooker Hayley Jones, an uncapped teenager, to the Six Nations squad. - Jones was added ahead of the next stage to provide front-row depth for the Red Roses. - The selection brings a young, untested option into England’s squad as they progress through the tournament. ( )
England have added 19-year-old hooker Hayley Jones to the Red Roses squad before Saturday’s Women’s Six Nations match against Wales. (rugbypass.com) Jones plays for Trailfinders Women and has not won a senior England cap. She was brought in after Saracens hooker May Campbell was ruled out of the championship with a knee injury. (rugbypass.com) The call-up came two days after Jones scored on her England Under-21 debut in a 51-12 win over Scotland at The Hive. She joined the senior camp at Pennyhill Park on Monday, April 20. (englandrugby.com) John Mitchell had originally named a 38-player England squad for the 2026 championship on March 19, with seven uncapped players already included. Jones was not in that group, so her promotion adds another inexperienced front-row option mid-tournament. (englandrugby.com) England opened this year’s tournament by beating Ireland 33-12 on April 11 and then Scotland 84-7 on April 18. The Wales game at Ashton Gate is England’s third match of the campaign. (espn.com) The hooker position sits in the middle of the front row and throws the ball into lineouts, so depth there matters quickly when injuries hit. England already have vice-captain Amy Cokayne in the squad, but Campbell’s injury reduced Mitchell’s options for the rest of the tournament. (englandrugby.com) Jones has been on England’s pathway for a while. Trailfinders said in January that she had already played for England at Under-18 level while also representing Brunel University in Women’s BUCS Super Rugby. (ealingtrailfinders.com) England are defending Women’s Six Nations champions after winning the 2025 title, and Rugby World said the 2026 squad still included 25 players from last year’s World Cup-winning group. Jones arrives from outside that core as Mitchell balances continuity with new depth. (rugbyworld.com) For now, the change is about cover rather than a confirmed debut. But if Jones stays involved through Wales and the final two rounds, England’s latest teenager will have moved from an Under-21 debut to the senior title chase in the space of a week. (englandrugby.com)
