The Women’s Rugby World Cup begins on Friday, but there are still moments when Jade Shekells has to stop and pinch herself.
That is hardly a surprise given the remarkable few months she has enjoyed, and it was only in March that Shekells earned her first cap for England.
Before that, the 28-year-old’s focus was fixed on Rugby Sevens. She was one of 27 England players - across both the male and female game - contracted to play for Team GB.
Shekells was part of the GB squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics and the European Games the year before, while she has also competed for England at the Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cup Sevens.
But when the call came to represent the Red Roses, Shekells didn’t hesitate because she believes this home World Cup is a massive moment for women’s rugby in England.
“I’m excited to see where the women’s game will go,” Shekells told Standard Sport. “It’s already on the rise, and I think a home World Cup will make it explode.
“I believe this will be a significant moment for women’s rugby, and I’m excited to see how it unfolds and the buzz around the country. My hope is that women’s rugby gets the appreciation it deserves.
“I’m most looking forward to playing in front of friends and family at a home World Cup. It will be incredibly special, especially for my granny, who has been to almost every game I’ve ever played.”
I believe this will be a significant moment for women’s rugby, and I’m excited to see how it unfolds and the buzz around the country
It was GB Sevens women’s head coach Giselle Mather who broke the news to Shekells earlier this year that she was going to be called into John Mitchell’s England squad.
Mitchell had been impressed by Shekells’ form for Gloucester-Hartpury in Premiership Women’s Rugby and brought her into camp to take a closer look.
Shekells earned her debut against Italy during the Women’s Six Nations in March, before landing a first start in a 59–7 win over Scotland.
“I remember my first start against Scotland; a girls’ team from my very first local rugby club came down,” she recalls. “We had a lovely chat and took a picture afterwards.
“It was a true full-circle moment because when I played there, they didn't even have a girls’ team. The first few times someone asked for my shirt or my socks, I thought it was crazy - like: ‘Nobody wants my smelly, sweaty socks!’
“But it’s actually really cool. I didn’t realise how much it would mean to fans. I suppose we are role models, but I sometimes struggle to see myself that way.”
Shekells has featured for England in their World Cup warm-up matches, scoring her first international try in a 97–7 victory over Spain.
The 28-year-old was called into the squad by Mitchell for her physicality and his belief that she could be moulded into a powerful inside centre.
It has proved to be the case, and Shekells credits some of her strength to her first steps in the game.
“For me, some of my physicality came from playing with boys, so it can be a positive,” she says.
“There are a lot of younger girls and boys playing now. It’s great to have conversations, particularly with the girls, because they often tell us they’re still playing with boys.
“We’ve been there and gone through it, so it’s nice to reminisce, but also to tell them it’s not all bad.”
Suited up for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 🌹#RedRoses #RWC2025 pic.twitter.com/7fNhj1OPTu
— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) August 16, 2025
In her conversations with young players, Shekells is keen to challenge stereotypes and encourage girls to take up rugby.
An area she is passionate about is diet and nutrition, especially among young girls playing sport in schools.
“I’ve really come to understand the importance of carbs, especially around game time and training, for fueling,” Shekells says.
“As a girl, you can be a bit shy about eating them. I remember the saying: ‘No carbs before Marbs’ in school. And as a female, you can get scared of them, thinking they’ll make you fat.
“Over my career, that’s something I’ve definitely tried to get my head around and change my outlook on.”
Focusing on her diet is one thing, but Shekells has also found value in writing.
During previous tournaments, it has helped to write down her goals and role, so she can reflect on them afterwards.
“I’d write down what I wanted to leave behind,” Shekells says. “Like the process of peeling an orange and throwing the peel away.
“If I made a mistake, I’d write it down, ‘throw it away’, and move on. It helps me focus on the next game and carry lessons from the previous one without getting overwhelmed.”
Shekells hopes that over the next month, she and England can write their own chapter in rugby history.
Jade Shekells was speaking to Standard Sport on behalf of AG1, a leading global nutrition brand, is the Official Daily Nutrition Supplement Partner to England Rugby Women’s and Men’s teams.
