"Battle the Black Ferns" - Red Roses team named to play New Zealand in WXV - Ruck
Red Roses Rugby News Women's Rugby WXV

“Battle the Black Ferns” – Red Roses team named to play New Zealand in WXV

3 October 2024
Tom Sansom

The England team has been named to take on New Zealand this Sunday, in the second round of WXV1. The Red Roses are looking to continue on in their mission for back-to-back WXV titles, after racking up an impressive 40-point win against the United States last weekend.

John Mitchell’s side were emphatic in their win against the Eagles, as they tallied a 61-21 triumph in the 12-try thriller. Mitchell has made 10 changes to the starting XV, with plenty of alterations ahead of the incoming Black Ferns. The Red Roses look to have gone with experience for this battle with the defending World Champions, with no place in the match day squad for recent debutants Georgia Brock, Lilli Ives Campion, Bo Westcombe-Evans and Phoebe Murray.

England celebrate after winning 24-12 during the international test match between England Women and New Zealand Women at the Allianz Stadium, London on 14 September 2024 (Photo: George Beck/PPAUK)

England only recently took on New Zealand, with the two Test match titans locking horns at the Allianz Stadium in a pre-WXV warm-up. Mitchell has made five changes to the team that led in that 24-12 Twickenham win, with Helena Rowland replacing Emily Scarratt at outside centre, as the sole back-line alteration.

There is a complete switch up in the front row, with Hannah Botterman, Amy Cokayne and Maud Muir getting the nod to start this time against New Zealand. Morwenna Talling also starts on the blindside flank with Maddie Feaunati on the bench. The Red Roses kick off against the Black Ferns this Sunday October 6th at 21:00. The game can be live-streamed on the BBC IPlayer.

Red Roses team to play New Zealand

The Black Ferns perform The Haka ahead of kick off during the international test match between England Women and New Zealand Women at the Allianz Stadium, London on 14 September 2024 (Photo: George Beck/PPAUK)

15. Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 46 caps)

14. Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women, 47 caps)

13 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 32 caps)

12. Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 24 caps)

11. Jess Breach (Saracens, 41 caps)

10. Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 33 caps)

9. Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 74 caps)

1. Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 49 caps)

2. Amy Cokayne (Leicester Tigers, 77 caps)

3. Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 33 caps)

4. Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 56 caps)

5. Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 67 caps)

6. Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 16 caps)

7. Marlie Packer (Saracens, 107 caps) – captain

8. Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 70 caps)

Replacements

16. Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 60 caps)

17. Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 18 caps)

18. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 64 caps)

19. Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 17 caps)

20. Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 8 caps)

21. Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 24 caps)

22. Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 52 caps)

23. Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 114 caps)