Red Roses name team to play Canada
Head coach Simon Middleton has named the Red Roses side to take on Canada at Twickenham Stoop on Sunday (KO 2:30pm, live on BBC Two).
Flanker Sadia Kabeya and Harlequins wing Heather Cowell are in line to earn their first caps, as they start the Test.
The Red Roses’ third autumn international is also set to be a special day for Abbie Ward (lock) and Poppy Cleall (No.8), who are both set to reach 50 caps.
"Abbie and Poppy have been an integral part of our squad for a number of years and we’re looking forward to celebrating and acknowledging their 50th caps at The Stoop," said Middleton.
"We’re delighted to give two players their first caps. Sadia has been brilliant since she came into camp in pre-season. She’s a fantastic athlete and someone we’ve been aware of for a long time.
"A winger’s job is to score tries and Heather Cowell does just that. The way she goes about her business is brilliant. Both players deserve their starts. Captain Sarah Hunter returns to the starting XV at blindside flanker."
Saracens full back Sarah McKenna will make her first start of the 2021 autumn internationals, Zoe Harrison and Helena Rowland make up the 10-12 axis once again while Claudia MacDonald starts at scrum half.
Prop Hannah Botterman (loose head) returns to the front row while Amy Cokayne and Sarah Bern retain their places.
Lagi Tuima comes in at outside centre while Zoe Aldcroft (second row) and Abby Dow (wing) retain their spots. Marlie Packer, Maud Muir and Leanne Infante are named as finishers.
Red Roses squad
15. Sarah McKenna (Saracens, 38 caps)
14. Heather Cowell (Harlequins, uncapped)
13. Lagi Tuima (Harlequins, 10 caps)
12. Helena Rowland (Saracens, 8 caps)
11. Abby Dow (Wasps, 20 caps)
10. Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 32 caps)
9. Claudia MacDonald (Wasps, 17 caps)
1. Hannah Botterman (Saracens, 24 caps)
2. Amy Cokayne (Harlequins, 59 caps)
3. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 38 caps)
4. Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 26 caps)
5. Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 49 caps)
6. Sarah Hunter (C; Loughborough Lightning, 128 caps)
7. Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, uncapped)
8. Poppy Cleall (VC; Saracens, 49 caps)
Finishers
16. Lark Davies (Loughborough Lightning, 33 caps)
17. Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins, 62 caps)
18. Maud Muir (Wasps, 2 caps)
19. Harriet Millar-Mills (Wasps, 64 caps)
20. Alex Matthews (Worcester Warriors, 43 caps)
21. Marlie Packer (Saracens, 78 caps)
22. Leanne Infante (Bristol Bears, 46 caps)
23. Holly Aitchison (Saracens, 2 caps)
