Preview: Red Roses v Canada
Everything you need to know ahead of the Red Roses' fixture against Canada at the StoneX Stadium on Saturday.
Louis Deacon's side will be aiming to secure back-to-back victories against Canada following their 50-24 win at Sandy Park last weekend.
- The game will be streamed live on England Rugby YouTube and Facebook channels.
- Highlights: Red Roses overpower Canada in Exeter
England secured victory with eight tries, including braces for Helena Rowland and Ellie Kildunne and a score on debut for 22-year-old Maisy Allen.
When? | Saturday, 30 September |
Where? | StoneX Stadium, London |
Kick off? | 15:00 BST |
The second meeting between the two sides will be the Red Roses' final outing before WXV in New Zealand, where they will face Australia, Canada and the Black Ferns.
Allen earns her first start at flanker alongside Morwenna Talling as Marlie Packer shifts to No.8. Hannah Botterman, Amy Cokayne and Maud Muir make up the front row while Zoe Aldcroft and Sarah Beckett are the lock pairing.
Natasha Hunt comes into the starting XV as scrum half with Holly Aitchison outside her. Amber Reed and Megan Jones are the centre pairing, and the back three sees one change from last weekend's fixture: Claudia MacDonald comes onto the left wing while Jess Breach and Kildunne retain their positions on the right wing and at full back.
Saracens' Sophie Bridger could make her England debut from the bench, while Connie Powell, Mackenzie Carson, Sarah Bern, Cath O'Donnell, Rosie Galligan, Lucy Packer and Abby Dow are also named as replacements.
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VIEWS FROM CAMP
Marlie Packer: "I'm super excited for this weekend. I think the last time I played at the StoneX for England was back in 2017 when Jess Breach scored her six tries. It's bene a long time, there have been a couple of games since then but I've not been involved personally. There's no better place than home and that's what StoneX is for me, and to do it in an England shirt is really special. I'm just really excited to get out there and hopefully put on a performance that the fans enjoy.
"I have played at No.8 for England before as an interchange in a game, but to actually start is something new. I've got big boots to fill, Sarah Hunter played there for years and then with the likes of Zoe Aldcroft and Alex Matthews doing a very good job, I just need to make sure that I keep playing my game and that when the ball comes out the back of the scrum I don't fumble it!"
Lou Meadows - Attack Coach: "We were very excited at how well the players backed themselves with the confidence to go after the game last weekend. We've thrown a lot at them so to see them go out there with such positive energy and take the game in their own hands was really exciting to see.
"We saw there were things to work on but for an opening performance we were really impressed. We had 20 entries into the gold zone, so it's just about making sure we come away with points when we make those entries, but to have that as a starting point shows that we're going in the right direction.
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"Our communication around selection this week is purely around combinations. We need to see exactly what we've got, who can compliment each other and the team in their style of play and versatility within it. We can only take 30 players to WXV so it's really important that we give people minutes and time to do that, and that's what the main focus has been."
TEAMS
England
15. Ellie Kildunne, 14. Jessica Breach, 13. Megan Jones, 12. Amber Reed, 11. Claudia MacDonald, 10. Holly Aitchison, 9. Natasha Hunt, 1. Hannah Botterman, 2. Lark Atkin-Davies 3. Maud Muir, 4. Zoe Aldcroft, 5. Sarah Beckett, 6. Morwenna Talling, 7. Maisy Allen, 8. Marlie Packer (C)
Replacements
16. Connie Powell, 17. Mackenzie Carson, 18. Sarah Bern, 19. Catherine O'Donnell, 20. Rosie Galligan, 21. Lucy Packer, 22. Sophie Bridger, 23. Abigail Dow
Canada
15. Madison Grant, 14. Paige Farries, 13. Fancy Bermudez, 12. Taylor Perry, 11. Krissy Scurfield, 10. Claire Gallagher, 9. Justine Pelletier, 1. Olivia DeMerchant, 2. Emily Tuttosi, 3. DaLeaka Menin, 4. Tyson Beukeboom, 5. Courtney Holtkamp, 6. Gabrielle Senft, 7. Sara Svoboda, 8. Sophie de Goede (C)
Replacements
16. Gillian Boag, 17. McKinley Hunt, 18. Alexandria Ellis, 19. Laetitia Royer, 20. Fabiola Forteza, 21. Olivia Apps, 22. Shoshanah Seumanutafa, 23. Florence Symonds
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS
2023 - England 50-24 Canada
2022 - England 26-19 Canada
2021 - England 52 - 12 Canada
2019 - England 19 - 17 Canada
2018 - England 27 - 19 Canada
2017 - England 49 - 12 Canada
2017 - England 79 - 5 Canada
FIXTURES AND RESULTS
Red Roses v Canada - 30 September -StoneX Stadium
WXV
Red Roses v Australia - 20 October - Sky Stadium
Red Roses v Canada - 27 October - Forsyth Barr Stadium
Red Roses v New Zealand - 4 November - Go Media Mount Smart Stadium