The Red Roses - who are currently ranked number one in the world and are firm favourites to win the Women's World Cup 2025 - are being captained by a new name, after Zoe Aldcroft was announced as Charli Packer's successor earlier this year.
The Sporting News discusses everything you need to know about the England lock, her domestic and international career, playing style and more.
Who is Zoe Aldcroft?
Zoe Aldcroft is the current captain of the Red Roses, the English national women’s rugby team. The 28 year old, who hails from Yorkshire, plays as a lock and is going to her third World Cup - though her first one as captain.
She currently holds 66 caps, having earnt her first one against France in 2016. The back row is particularly known for her defensive strength, with a huge 93% tackle success. However, she can also be a powerful presence in attack, with nine international tries to her name currently.
Zoe Aldcroft domestic career
Aldcroft joined rugby very early on in life at Scarborough RUFC, before her talent allowed her to move to Hartbury College, renowned for its sporting programs, to refine her skills with a full-time rugby program alongside academics.
After earning a degree in Sport and Exercise Science from Northumbria University and spending a year with Darlingyon Mowden Park Shark in 2015, the back-row signed to Gloucester-Hartpury in 2017, and has remained there ever since.
She was announced as co-captain of the Gloucester-Hartpury squad alongside Natasha Hunt in 2018, her second season with the club. During her captaincy, the club has become the best Premiership in the PWR, and recently celebrated their third PWR title in a row in March.
Zoe Aldcroft international career
The lock debuted for the English senior team in 2016, in the final four minutes of a game against France, where she scored the winning try.
This performance set a precursor that Aldcroft’s performances have lived up to ever since, as she has become known for her incredible power in the scrums and ability to win lineouts - making her an incredibly impactful player on the pitch.
After captaining on individual occasions several times, Aldcroft was announced as captain of the Red Roses in 2025, taking over from Marlie Packer.
As a captain, she is known for her strong work ethic and demands of high performance, mixed with her calm, often quiet demeanor - leading by example not just words.
During her almost decade with the Red Roses, she has been a part of the last three Women’s Rugby World Cup squads in 2017, 2022 and 2025.
She was a standout player in the 2020 Guinness Women’s Six Nations, and has been with the squad as they have won the last six Guinness Women’s Six Nations, including their grand slam most recently.
What honours has Zoe Aldcroft been awarded?
The backrow has won three consecutive PWR titles with her domestic team Gloucester-Hartpury, which she has captained since 2018.
Internationally, she has won six Guinness Women’s Six Nations with the Red Roses and was awarded World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year in 2021, off the back of her stand-out performances in the 2020 Six Nations campaign.
How long has Zoe Aldcroft captained the Red Roses?
Aldcroft was announced as the new permanent Red Roses captain in 2025, taking over from veteran Charli Packer.
This means that this is Aldcroft’s first international campaign as captain - something that is even more special as the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 is taking place on home turf for England, the current world number one’s.
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