PWR form key to Campbell's long-awaited Red Roses return

May Campbell has had to wait 707 days for her second Red Roses cap, which will come off the bench against Italy this weekend.

Her previous appearance was a 23-minute run-out in England’s 59-3 drubbing of Wales in the 2023 Women's Six Nations.

Since then, the Saracens hooker has seemingly been on the outside, looking in as far as the Red Roses are concerned.

Having to compete with the likes of Lark Atkin-Davies, Amy Cokayne and Connie Powell, Campbell would have to produce an almighty season to worm her way into the England 23.

In the 2024/25 season, Campbell was up to that task. The hooker led the league in tries, gain line carries, tackles, and turnovers won, so it is fair to say she does her bit around the park.

She nails her set-piece, too. Campbell made the most successful lineout throws in a game against Gloucester Hartpury, landing 16 darts on target in Round 17.

Red Roses head coach John Mitchell certainly noticed her fine performances this season and did not hold back when assessing her game.

“May is one of the best players in the last 22 metres of a rugby field in England,” said Mitchell.

“She’s quick. For example, during our session yesterday, we did some rugby capacity work, and she was the quickest.

“She’s exceptional at getting to the breakdown as well so she’s very much a merit selection. I challenged her in some previous camps, and she’s done extremely well.”

Your Red Roses squad to face Italy 🙌

John Mitchell has named his 23-player squad for our #GuinnessW6N opener on Sunday.@O2 | #WearTheRose

— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) March 20, 2025

Not only has Campbell had to produce the season of her life to get picked, but she is also one of the only players in the Red Roses camp who has to work alongside her rugby.

It’s not just a part-time role, either.

Campbell is head of talent at Helio, a cryptocurrency platform, making it frankly remarkable she can balance her rugby career with her corporate one.

Evidently, a key part of Mitchell’s job as head coach is helping his players with this balancing act and spreading game time across the position to take some pressure off.

He added: “You just make sure you talk to May early so that she can pre-plan with her employer. Generally, she confirms when that pressure point is [and we work around it].

“In saying that we’re going to need four hookers in 2025, so we’ve still got Connie Powell who’s a very good player as well, and she’s been asked to work on something within her game.”

The Saracen takes the workload like water off a duck’s back.

She is by all accounts a delight to have around a playing group, perhaps one reason she co-captained the North London club at points in the PWR.

The question is now how long her wait will be for her next cap after this weekend, although if Mitchell’s glowing review is anything to go by, it won’t be anywhere near 707 days.