Trailfinders Women Announce Signing of Rugby World Cup and Olympic Champion Ruby Tui

Trailfinders are delighted to announce the signing of Ruby Tui, one of the most decorated and recognisable players in world rugby. The New Zealand international arrives at Trailfinders Sports Club with a trophy cabinet few players in the women’s game can match, headlined by a Rugby World Cup winner’s medal, an Olympic gold, and an Olympic silver, a resume that underlines the growing ambition of the West London club as they look to build on last season’s PWR final appearance.

Tui’s career has taken her to the very top of both codes of the women’s game.

In the abbreviated format, she has been a mainstay of the all-conquering Black Ferns Sevens for well over a decade, making her international debut in 2012. She was part of the New Zealand side that claimed silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics, before going one better at the Tokyo Games in 2021, helping New Zealand defeat France in the final to win Olympic gold. Along the way she has also won the Rugby Sevens World Cup, multiple World Series titles, and was named World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year in 2019 in recognition of her status as one of the standout performers in the format’s history.

Tui has proven just as capable in fifteen-a-side rugby. She was a key member of the Black Ferns squad that won the 2021 Rugby World Cup, scoring a try in New Zealand’s dramatic 34-31 final victory over England in a game that is widely regarded as one of the greatest rugby matches ever played. She has also competed in Super Rugby Aupiki with the Chiefs Manawa since the competition’s launch in 2022.

Beyond the medals, Tui has become one of the sport’s most influential ambassadors, known for her infectious energy, leadership and her openness in using her platform to speak about resilience, community and the growth of women’s sport worldwide.

Statement – Barney Maddison

“Ruby is one of the most respected figures in the women’s game. Her experience of winning at the very highest level, combined with the energy and leadership she brings on and off the pitch, will be an enormous asset to the squad as we push on from last season. We’re thrilled to welcome her to the club.”

Statement – Ruby Tui

“Fizzing to sign with Trailfinders I feel like I’ve seen a lot of Women’s rugby and it’s the biggest and best Women’s comp in the world right now. The whole Trailfinders team have been so welcoming since I got here and watching them all last season had me fizzed about how they’re playing game! It obviously helps having a Kiwi presence here already with Lans (Alana Borland), Tans (Tanya Kalounivale), Georgia (Ponsonby) and Maia (Roos) already making their presence felt in the Trailfinders jersey. They all said it wasn’t too bad here ay so here we are! I can’t wait to meet the fans properly! I’m ready to get stuck in and serve the team in whatever way I can!’

Six Trailfinders have been named in the Red Roses squad for their upcoming pre-season training camp

England Head Coach John Mitchell has named his squad for the Red Roses pre-season training camp commencing on Monday the 3rd August.

The Six Trailfinders who are involved are:

Abi Burton (9 Caps)

Haidee Head (1 Cap)

Hayley Jones (Uncapped)

Annabel Meta (Uncapped)

Meg Jones (38 Caps)

Bo Westcombe Evans (2 Caps)

On the selection, Trailfinders Head Coach Barney Maddison said “We’re delighted to see six of our players feature in this training camp. We know how much ability they all have and it’s great to see that recognised on the International stage.”

“Hayley Jones and Annabel Meta are two fantastic products of the Brunel University pathway and are a real testament to all the great work that is happening throughout our eco-system, so it’s great to see them rewarded with Transition contracts.”

The Red Roses will be looking ahead to their upcoming WXV Global Series campaign which starts with England taking on Australia at Corpaq Stadium, Salford Saturday 16th September (3pm Kick-Off).

See below for the Red Roses Press Release with Trailfinders Women’s players highlighted.

RED ROSES 40-PLAYER WXV GLOBAL SERIES TRAINING SQUAD

ISSUED BY RFU

John Mitchell has selected a 40-player squad to kick-start the Red Roses’ WXV Global Series preparations.

The group – which contains 22 forwards and 18 backs – will assemble at the University of Nottingham on Monday 3 August for the start of pre-season training.

They will spend the first three weeks of pre-season in Nottingham before returning to London at the Lensbury ahead of their opening match of the series against Australia on Saturday 12 September, CorpAcq Stadium, Salford.

The Red Roses then take on Canada at Exeter’s Sandy Park a week later before ending their home leg of WXV fixtures at Allianz Stadium against New Zealand on Saturday 26 September.

Tickets for all three home matches can be purchased at englandrugby.com/tickets.

Mitchell said: “The naming of this squad is only the beginning; it’s not the reward.

“These 40 have been selected because we believe they have what it takes to build something real together as a squad; firstly, through building better connections to make us stronger, and then with how we want to play this game.

“We’re identifying the players who we think will buy into the Red Roses spirit; those who will elevate their connections, those who will develop their repeat physical capacity, and those who will approach their skillsets with enthusiasm and show the necessary hunger to compete under pressure. That’s the standard this programme is setting.

“We’re focused on building and playing lethal exciting rugby which requires us to train above the game level with an intensity that allows every selected player to adapt seamlessly into Test rugby when the moment comes.

“That’s what we do here, and it starts now!”

Red Roses squad for pre-season training

Forwards

Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 84 caps)
Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 62 caps)
Delaney Burns (Bristol Bears, 6 caps)
Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women, 9 caps)
May Campbell (Saracens, 5 caps)
Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 28 caps)
Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 25 caps)
Amy Cokayne (Sale Sharks, 94 caps)
Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 27 caps)
Bryony Field (Saracens, uncapped)
Keevy Fitzpatrick (Loughborough Lightning, uncapped)
Haidee Head (Trailfinders Women, 1 cap)
Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning, 8 caps)
Hayley Jones (Trailfinders Women, uncapped)
Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 32 caps)
Haineala Lutui (Loughborough Lightning, 4 caps)
Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 82 caps)
Annabel Meta (Trailfinders Women, uncapped)
Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 53 caps)
Marlie Packer (Harlequins, 116 caps)
Demelza Short (Bristol Bears, 4 caps)
Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 29 caps)

Backs

Holly Aitchison (Sale Sharks, 49 caps)
Jess Breach (Saracens, 57 caps)
Millie David (Bristol Bears, 1 cap)
Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 70 caps)
Tatyana Heard (Sale Sharks, 36 caps)
Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 89 caps)
Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women, 38 caps)
Ellie Kildunne (Bristol Bears, 62 caps)
Amelia MacDougall (Saracens, uncapped)
Claudia Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 40 caps)
Carmela Morrall (Loughborough Lightning, uncapped)
Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 44 caps)
Flo Robinson (Exeter Chiefs, 5 caps)
Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 51 caps)
Jade Shekells (Gloucester-Hartpury, 4 caps)
Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 17 caps)
Mia Venner (Gloucester-Hartpury, 4 caps)
Bo Westcombe-Evans (Trailfinders Women, 2 caps)

4 Trailfinders have been awarded Red Roses contracts for the 2026/27 season

John Mitchell has announced his squad of 36 contracted players for the 2026/27 season, which includes four Trailfinders players.

Abi Burton and Meg Jones have been awarded full time contracts. Jones and Burton have become central figures for Mitchell’s England side, with the former captaining the side to a grandslam Six Nations victory in her inaugural campaign as skipper. Burton is a stalwart of the side, playing a key role in that same campaign. She offers the versatility to play either at lock or in the Back-Row.

Hayley Jones and Annabel Meta have secured Transition contracts, meaning they will be given opportunities for progression to first-team appearances whilst benefitting from training with senior internationals in a highly professional and competitive environment.

WXV Global Series kicks off with the Red Roses taking on Australia at Corpaq Stadium, Salford on Saturday 16th September (3pm Kick-Off) where you’ll be able to see our Trailfinders stars in action!