Red Roses name team to play Fiji in Rugby World Cup opener
Head coach Simon Middleton has named the Red Roses' match day squad to play Fiji in their opening Rugby World Cup match.
Sarah Hunter will captain the side at Eden Park from No 8 and outside centre Emily Scarratt is named vice-captain.
- Red Roses v Fiji - Saturday 8 October
- Kick off at 4:45am UK time
- Watch live on ITV
- Get the latest Red Roses updates
Loughborough Lightning’s Sadia Kabeya starts at open-side flanker with Alex Matthews at blind-side flanker. Leanne Infante starts at scrum half while Zoe Harrison and Helena Rowland form the 10-12 axis.
Vickii Cornborough, Amy Cokayne and Sarah Bern make up the front row, while the back three consists of Ellie Kildunne (full back), Lydia Thompson (right wing) and Claudia MacDonald (left wing).
Zoe Aldcroft and Abbie Ward are the lock pairing while Connie Powell, Hannah Botterman, Maud Muir, Cath O’Donnell, Poppy Cleall Lucy Packer and Holly Aitchison are named finishers.
Abby Dow is also among the finishers and could make her first appearance since suffering a broken leg against Wales in the 2022 TikTok Women’s Six Nations in April.
"We’ve selected an experienced match day 23 who we feel are in a good position to get our campaign off to a strong start. We know we could have selected any of the wider squad and there are nine players this week with a key supporting role," said Middleton.
"It’s a privilege to come up against a team in their first-ever World Cup match. We know they have talented players and we’re looking forward to the challenge. It’s great to hear over 30,000 tickets have been sold for the opening day too.
"I’m really pleased with the group effort in training and we can’t wait to get started at an iconic venue in Eden Park on Saturday."
Squad to face Fiji
Starters
15. Ellie Kildunne
14. Lydia Thompson
13. Emily Scarratt
12. Helena Rowland
11. Claudia MacDonald
10. Zoe Harrison
9. Leanne Infante
1. Vickii Cornborough
2. Amy Cokayne
3. Sarah Bern
4. Zoe Aldcroft
5. Abbie Ward
6. Alex Matthews
7. Sadia Kabeya
8. Sarah Hunter
Finishers
16. Connie Powell
17. Hannah Botterman
18. Maud Muir
19. Cath O'Donnell
20. Poppy Cleall
21. Lucy Packer
22. Holly Aitchison
23. Abby Dow
