Red Roses

1 Nov 2023 | 3 min |

Red Roses side to face New Zealand

The matchday 23 sees five changes ahead of England's final WXV1 outing against the Black Ferns.

Inside centre Tatyana Heard and lock Rosie Galligan return to the line-up in an otherwise unchanged starting XV from last weekend’s 45-12 win over Canada.

Amy Cokayne features in the England squad for the first time in the tournament as an impact player with Sarah Beckett and Megan Jones also among the replacements.

Elsewhere, Ellie Kildunne, Abby Dow and Claudia MacDonald continue in the back three and Helena Rowland is at outside centre. Natasha Hunt and Holly Aitchison link up in the half-back positions in consecutive matches.

The front row of Mackenzie Carson, Lark Atkin-Davies and Sarah Bern remains, and second row Zoe Aldcroft is partnered by Galligan.

Captain Marlie Packer will run out for the 99th time in an England jersey. Morwenna Talling and Alex Matthews complete the back row.

Red Roses team to play New Zealand

15 Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 37 caps)

14 Abigail Dow (Trailfinders Women, 39 caps)

13 Helena Rowland  – vice-captain (Loughborough Lightning, 27 caps)

12 Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 17 caps)

11 Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 31 caps)

10 Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 24 caps)

9 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 66 caps)

1 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 9 caps)

2 Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 53 caps)

3 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 60 caps)

4 Zoe Aldcroft – vice-captain (Gloucester-Hartpury, 47 caps)

5 Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 13 caps)

6 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 10 caps)

7 Marlie Packer – captain (Saracens, 98 caps)

8 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 61 caps)

Replacements

16 Amy Cokayne (Leicester Tigers, 72 caps)

17 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 41 caps)

18 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 24 caps)

19 Sarah Beckett (Gloucester-Hartpury, 33 caps)

20 Maisy Allen (Exeter Chiefs, 4 caps)

21 Ella Wyrwas (Saracens, 5 caps)

22 Megan Jones (Leicester Tigers, 15 caps)

23 Jess Breach (Saracens, 32 caps)

FIXTURES AND RESULTS

Red Roses 50-24 Canada 

Red Roses 29-12 Canada

WXV

Red Roses 42-7 Australia

Red Roses 45-12 Canada

Red Roses v New Zealand - 4 November - Go Media Mount Smart Stadium