Maddie Feaunati has been recalled to start at No 8 as England face New Zealand in a tantalising clash at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham this weekend.
New Zealand are the Red Roses’ closest challengers at the top of the world rankings and remain the most recent team to beat John Mitchell’s all-conquering side – way back in the 2022 Rugby World Cup final – with more than 50,000 fans set to descend on Allianz Stadium.
Feaunati’s return, bringing her big-game experience and X-factor, sees Alex Matthews shift to blind-side flanker as Abi Burton drops to the bench.
Bryony Field retains her place at hooker, starting an international for just the second time, as May Campbell is on the bench, with Amy Cokayne and Connie Powell both missing through injury and Lark Atkin Davies having only recently given birth.
Field will be flanked by Sarah Bern and Mackenzie Carson as the starting props, with Hannah Botterman and Maud Muir ready to provide punch off the bench.
The Red Roses will be something of a wounded animal after seeing their incredible 39-match winning run ended last weekend by beaten World Cup finalists Canada, who snatched a nail-biting 26-26 draw at Sandy Park.
England still haven’t lost on home soil for a decade however, with a 25-20 defeat at the hands of the Black Ferns at the Twickenham Stoop in November 2016 their last home reverse.
While Mitchell has tweaked his pack from last weekend, he’s opted for an unchanged backline from the Canada draw, meaning Lucy Packer and Zoe Harrison are the half-backs, with Helena Rowland and captain Megan Jones forming a potent centre partnership.
The back three remains as explosive as ever, with last week’s two-try hero Claudia Moloney-MacDonald retaining her spot on one wing, with speedster Jess Breach on the other wing and former World Player of the Year Ellie Kildunne at full back.
Head coach John Mitchell said: “We’re moving forward in the right direction while building depth in our cover. Now we look forward to renewing a rivalry with a New Zealand side we haven’t played since 2024. They are playing good rugby at the moment and it’s no surprise to see them raise their standards.
“Test matches against the best teams in the world are what we relish and look forward to, especially at Allianz Stadium.”
Red Roses: 1 Mackenzie Carson, 2 Bryony Field, 3 Sarah Bern, 4 Morwenna Talling, 5 Lilli Ives Campion, 6 Alex Matthews, 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Maddie Feaunati, 9 Lucy Packer, 10 Zoe Harrison, 11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, 12 Helena Rowland, 13 Megan Jones (captain), 14 Jess Breach, 15 Ellie Kildunne
Replacements: 16 May Campbell, 17 Hannah Botterman, 18 Maud Muir, 19 Abi Burton, 20 Marlie Packer, 21 Natasha Hunt, 22 Tatyana Heard, 23 Emma Sing
New Zealand warmed up for their Red Roses test by demolishing Scotland 66-14 last week and head coach Whitney Hansen – daughter of former All Blacks coach Steve – has brought back No 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker, winger Ayesha Leti-I’iga and lock Laura Bayfield into the starting XV.
The Black Ferns are on a seven-match winning run this year and a bullish Hansen said: “Our players are built different, we’re made for these moments.
“We’ve continued to grow each week and we’re excited to put our rugby identity to the test against England, who are currently number one in the world. We’ve continued to grow each week and we’re excited to put our rugby identity to the test against England.”
New Zealand: 1 Chryss Viliko, 2 Georgia Ponsonby (captain), 3 Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, 4 Maia Roos, 5 Laura Bayfield, 6 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 7 Elinor-Plum King, 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 9 Maia Joseph, 10 Hannah King, 11 Ayesha Leti-I’iga, 12 Amy Du Plessis, 13 Sylvia Brunt, 14 Mererangi Paul, 15 Braxton Sorensen-McGee
Replacements: 16 Atlanta Lolohea, 17 Maddison Robinson, 18 Santo Taumata, 19 Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, 20 Layla Sae, 21 Tara Turner, 22 Justine McGregor, 23 Alena Saili
