Red Roses team to Face France in Whangarei

12 Oct 2022 | 3 min |

Red Roses team to Face France in Whangarei

Head coach Simon Middleton has named the Red Roses' match day squad to play France in their Rugby World Cup pool match.

Sarah Hunter captains the side at number 8 and is set to earn her 137th cap and become the joint most-capped England international drawing level with Red Roses prop Rocky Clark.

Marlie Packer is brought back into the fold at open side flanker, joining Alex Matthews who packs down at blind side. Vickii Cornborough, Amy Cokayne and Sarah Bern make up the front row once again, while Zoe Aldcroft and Abbie Ward are the lock pairing.

Red Roses v France - Saturday 15 October
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Leanne Infante starts at scrum half, Zoe Harrison at fly half, while Helena Rowland and Emily Scarratt make up the centres.

Claudia MacDonald will start once again on the left wing after an impressive game last weekend when she ran in four tries against Fiji in Auckland. She is joined by Lydia Thompson (right wing) and Ellie Kildunne (full back)

Connie Powell, Hannah Botterman, Maud Muir, Cath O’Donnell, Poppy Cleall, Lucy Packer, Holly Aitchison and Abby Dow are named as finishers.

Middleton said: “The opening weekend at Eden Park was a special event to be a part of. World Cups are huge occasions and it doesn’t matter how many caps you have or how many games you’ve played nerves can come into play and we saw that a little bit with us last week. I was delighted with the way the team problem-solved and performed after half-time. It showed great character.

“Our aim was always to field a consistent side for our opening two matches. The wider squad are all aware of the situation and what they need to do to earn their place. As a coaching group, we know it’s far easier to play than not play in competitions but that doesn’t diminish anyone’s role, the part they play or the responsibility they hold. Whatever we achieve will be down to the squad not the team. We arrived as a 32 and we stand or fall as a 32.

“France always present a huge challenge and this time it will be no different. They have a new-look coaching set-up since we last played and we look forward to another big test and what I expect to be a close contest.”