Red Roses v Italy Women: preview, teams and stats
The Red Roses end their 2019 fixtures with the Quilter International against Italy Women in Bedford on Saturday.
Simon Middleton has made six changes to the side as they look to end the year on a high before their next match against France Women away in the 2020 Women’s Six Nations.
It’s been an impressive year for England who won the Grand Slam in emphatic fashion at Twickenham Stadium in March and then came second behind New Zealand in the Women’s Rugby Super Series in San Diego in the summer.
Italy’s progression can be seen by their second-place finish in the Six Nations earlier this year which included an impressive 31-12 victory over France, and they are currently ranked seventh in the world.
- When? Saturday 23 November
- Kick-off? 1500 GMT
- Where? Goldington Road, Bedford
- Coverage? Watch on EnglandRugby.com and England Rugby Facebook, YouTube and Twitter
Views from the camp
England head coach Simon Middleton: “The game is a big opportunity for those who have been waiting in the wings this series to show us what they can do and help end our calendar year strongly.
“We’ve brought Claudia Macdonald back into the group. Claudia is a dynamic, versatile player who carries a threat as both a scrum half and a winger. Her potential as a winger surfaced with a strong performance against New Zealand in the Super Series and we’re looking forward to seeing how she performs this time around on the wing at Goldington Road.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mo [Natasha Hunt] on her 50th cap, it’s a fantastic achievement for any player. She brings a number of qualities with her on-field ability and infectious personality and she deserves to enjoy this moment.”
Previous encounters
- 9 March 2019: England 55-0 Italy
- 4 February 2018: Italy 7-42 England
- 13 August 2017: England 56-13 Italy
- 25 February 2017: England 29-15
- 13 February 2016: Italy 24-33 England
- 15 February 2015 England 39-7 Italy
- 16 March 2014: Italy 0-24 England
- 9 March 2013: England 34-0 Italy
Key stats
Scrum half Natasha Hunt will reach a half century of caps against Italy having made her debut in 2011
Captain Sarah Hunter will reach 119 caps on Saturday going level with Jason Leonard on England’s all-time list – Leonard won 114 England caps and five for the British & Irish Lions
The Red Roses have won 10 of their 12 games in 2019, including a Grand Slam in the Women’s Six Nations
England have won 16 games in a row on home soil
World Rugby player of the year Emily Scarratt is the top try scorer in the Tyrrells Premier 15s this season with 77 points, including six tries
Since the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup, England have won 20 of their 22 Test matches
In 19 meetings with Italy the Red Roses have won each game scoring 866 points
Teams
England
15 Sarah McKenna, 14 Abby Dow, 13 Emily Scarratt, 12 Emily Scott, 11 Claudia MacDonald, 10 Zoe Harrison, 9 Natasha Hunt; 1 Hannah Botterman, 2 Heather Kerr, 3 Shaunagh Brown, 4 Poppy Cleall, 5 Zoe Aldcroft, 6 Marlie Packer, 7 Vicky Fleetwood, 8 Sarah Hunter (C).
Finishers
16 Amy Cokayne, 17 Ellena Perry, 18 Sarah Bern, 19 Sarah Beckett, 20 Rownita Marston, 21 Leanne Riley, 22 Katy Daley-Mclean, 23 Jess Breach.
Italy
15 Sara Barattin, 14 Maria Magatti, 13 Michela Sillari, 12 Beatrice Rigoni, 11 Camilla Sarasso, 10 Micol Cavina, 9 Sofia Stefan; 1 Silvia Turani, 2 Melissa Bettoni, 3 Lucia Gai, 4 Valeria Fedrighi, 5 Giordana Duca, 6 Isabella Locatelli, 7 Giada Franco, 8 Elisa Giordano.
Replacements
16 Giulia Cerato, 17 Michela Merlo, 18 Sara Tounesi, 19 Valentina Ruzza, 20 Lucia Cammarano, 21 Francesca Sgorbini, 22 Laura Paganini, 23 Beatrice Capomaggi.
