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England Name Commonwealth Games Squad as Housby Sidelined

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Head coach Anna Stembridge selected a 12-player squad for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, running from July 23 to August 2. Fran Williams will captain the side, while Liv Tchine takes the vice-captaincy. The roster blends seasoned veterans with fresh talent to maintain England's current third-place world ranking.

Rising star Jayda Pechova earns her first senior call-up after a dominant season with Nottingham Forest. The 21-year-old swept the 2026 Netball Super League individual awards, including Player of the Year. Her defensive impact was clear, recording 88 gains and 75 deflections to help Forest reach the top four for the first time.

Experienced wing attack Nat Metcalf returns for her third Games, bringing gold-medal experience from 2018. However, the squad faces a major blow as star shooter Helen Housby is ruled out. A back injury prevents her from competing in Glasgow, leaving the attack to Cardwell, Pearson, Tchine, and debutant Sasha Glasgow.

This selection marks a transition for the Vitality Roses as they integrate new talent like Lois Pearson and Sasha Glasgow. Stembridge is relying on a mix of 2023 World Cup silver medalists and domestic standouts. England enters the tournament without their most famous goal scorer.