Preview: Red Roses vs Canada

3 Nov 2022 | 5 min |

Everything you need to know ahead of the Red Roses' World Cup semi-final against Canada at Eden Park.

Simon Middleton's side reached their ninth consecutive World Cup semi-final after a powerful victory over Australia in tricky conditions.

England topped their pool with victories over Fiji, France and South Africa. A win against Canada this weekend would see the Red Roses reach their eighth World Cup final.

Sarah Hunter has been named captain, while Claudia MacDonald returns to the starting lineup on the left wing, Abby Dow is on the right and Helena Rowland is at full back.

Hannah Botterman starts while Amy Cokayne and Sarah Bern retain their positions in the front row. Zoe Aldcroft and Abbie Ward are the lock pairing. Alex Matthews and Marlie Packer join Sarah Hunter to make up the back row.

Watch Inside Line: Red Roses

Leanne Infante starts once again at scrum half alongside Zoe Harrison at fly half. Tatyana Heard retains her position at inside centre, alongside vice-captain Emily Scarratt.

Lark Davies, Vickii Cornborough, Maud Muir, Rosie Galligan, Poppy Cleall, Lucy Packer, Holly Aitchison and Ellie Kildunne are the finishers.

You can watch the match live on ITV, follow updates on England Rugby's Instagram and Twitter accounts, and check out the reaction on EnglandRugby.com.

VIEWS FROM CAMP

Simon Middleton: "Claudia was outstanding against Fiji and she has been outstanding in training. She picked up that knock and we kept her out a little longer than anticipated. It's really important to pick on form, and when all players are on form you pick who is on best form, and it would have been tough for Claudia to miss out again having played so well against Fiji and trained so well.

"This is going to be a very difficult and physical game up front. We have looked a t a few things we think we can get them with. When we played them in the autumn they demonstrated what a good pack they are, they have some fantastic players. It's going to be a tough set piece battle."

Sarah Hunter: "We know their strengths. We are really looking forward to it, two rugby nations going for that final spot, we know it'll be a good game, but our focus has been on ourselves. Hopefully it'll be drier conditions to last week so we can play the way we want.

"Sophie De Goede is a great talent. We have seen her in the Premier 15s and it is great to see her coming through. She is a skilful player, we know they look to her and she drives the team around, so for us it'll be about trying to nullify the threat she poses."

PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS

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

TEAMS

Red Roses

Starters

15. Helena Rowland, 14. Abby Dow, 13. Emily Scarratt, 12. Tatyana Heard, 11. Claudia MacDonald, 10. Zoe Harrison, 9. Leanne Infante, 1. Hannah Botterman, 2. Amy Cokayne, 3. Sarah Bern, 4. Zoe Aldcroft, 5. Abbie Ward, 6. Alex Matthews, 7. Marlie Packer, 8. Sarah Hunter

Finishers
16. Lark Davies, 17. Vickii Cornborough, 18. Maud Muir, 19. Rosie Galligan, 20. Poppy Cleall, 21. Lucy Packer, 22. Holly Aitchison, 23. Ellie Kildunne

Canada

Starters

15. Elissa Alarie, 14. Maddy Grant, 13. Alysha Corrigan, 12. Sara Juvee, 11. Paige Farries, 10. Alex Tessier, 9. Justine Pelletier, 1. Olivia Demerchant, 2. Emily Tuttosi, 3. Daleaka Menin, 4. Courtney Holtkamp, 5. Mckinley Hunt, 6. Fabiola Forteza, 7. Karen Paquin, 8. Sophie De Goede (C).

Replacements

16. Gillian Boag, 17. Brittany Kassil, 18. Alex Ellis, 19. Ngalula Fuamba, 20. Tyson Beukeboom, 21. Gabrielle Senft, 22. Sara Svoboda, 23. Anais Holly.