WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - OCTOBER 20: England form a huddle during the WXV1 Match between England and Australia Wallaroos at Sky Stadium on October 20, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Red Roses

24 Oct 2023 | 3 min |

Red Roses team to face Canada in Dunedin

Nine changes have been made to the England starting line-up to play Canada in Round Two of WXV1.

Full-back Ellie Kildunne, who has scored three tries in her last two outings against the Canadians, and wing Claudia MacDonald return to the back three alongside Abby Dow.

  • WXV Preview: Red Roses v Canada

Helena Rowland switches to outside centre, linking up with incoming midfielder Amber Reed, and scrum-half Natasha Hunt is named as Holly Aitchison’s half-back partner.

A fresh front row sees Mackenzie Carson, Lark Atkin-Davies and Sarah Bern start, while Cath O’Donnell is back in the second row beside Zoe Aldcroft.

Morwenna Talling is selected at blindside flanker as captain Marlie Packer and Alex Matthews continue at openside flanker and Number 8 respectively.

Interim head coach Louis Deacon said: “We’ve named a team that we believe gives us the best opportunity to build on our momentum after the game last weekend.

“The energy has been positive throughout our time in New Zealand, and it’s been a great start to our time in Dunedin as we prepare for the next round of WXV.

“Our Summer Series matches against Canada were the perfect warm-up for WXV and we have no doubt they will provide a stern test once again on Friday night.”

Red Roses team to play Canada

15 Ellie Kildunne  (Harlequins, 36 caps)

14 Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women, 38 caps)

13 Helena Rowland  – vice-captain (Loughborough Lightning, 26 caps)

12 Amber Reed  (Bristol Bears, 66 caps)

11 Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 30 caps)

10 Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 23 caps)

9 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 65 caps)

1 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 8 caps)

2 Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 52 caps)

3 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 59 caps)

4 Zoe Aldcroft – vice-captain (Gloucester-Hartpury, 46 caps)

5 Catherine O'Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 29 caps)

6 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 9 caps)

7 Marlie Packer – captain (Saracens, 97 caps)

8 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 60 caps)

Replacements

16 Connie Powell (Harlequins, 12 caps)

17 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 40 caps)

18 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 23 caps)

19 Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 12 caps)

20 Maisy Allen (Exeter Chiefs, 3 caps)

21 Ella Wyrwas (Saracens, 4 caps)

22 Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 16 caps)

23 Jess Breach  (Saracens, 31 caps)