‘We want to be unstoppable’: Red Roses captain Aldcroft says they can improve

Zoe ­Aldcroft, the new England captain, says the Red Roses want to be “unstoppable” and have “massive room for improvement” despite being on a 20-game winning run.

England are in formidable form, having last lost a game in 2022 in the Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand. Since then they have won two Women’s Six Nations titles and two WXV 1 trophies. Aldcroft was named England captain last ­Thursday and will lead the team throughout 2025, a year which will culminate in a home World Cup in August and September.

“We want to take each moment as it comes,” she said. “Off the pitch we want to create loads of memories and enjoy each other’s company. On the pitch we want to be unstoppable. I think it is taking each day as it comes and how we individually can grow ourselves each day, every day.

“From a few bits of reviews that we have done I think we have got ­massive room for improvement. I think the Canada game [in WXV 1 where England won 21-12] really challenged us and we were under a lot of pressure that we haven’t faced too often as the Red Roses. We learned a lot about how we could be better, and when the pressure is on how we get back under control.”

The 28-year-old Aldcroft took over from the back-rower Marlie Packer, who is now one of two vice-captains alongside Megan Jones. When asked how long he had been ­contemplating a captaincy change the head coach, John Mitchell, said: “I have ­probably been on it since day one when I started the job.

Marlie Packer with the Six Nations trophy after England’s victory over France last year. Photograph: Lionel Hahn/RFU/The RFU Collection/Getty Images

“The Red Roses have set a standard and we have to continue to do that. I have to make sure we have the best players on the pitch. We are very fortunate to have depth; when you have depth then that person [the captain] has to certainly be on the team sheet.

“Unfortunately, we got to a stage where there is competition in the No 7 position with Sadia Kabeya, Georgia Brock and Marlie. That is a difficult decision. So what’s best for the Red Roses came down to my decision and it is never personal and it wasn’t easy.

“Having been in this situation a number of times in my life, it’s not something that ever sits comfortably. There have been a few cups of tea at night, a few late sleeps but at the end of the day it became really clear in my own stomach that this is the right decision.

“It is what the team needs and we need to keep evolving, we need to keep challenging each other and I think it sends a message to the whole squad that we want to get better. We are going to need each other to progress and work hard in 2025.”