women
international women
John Mitchell has made an incredible nine changes to his Red Roses team ahead of their clash Canada this weekend in Exeter.
The WXV Global Series The match is a replay of the women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 final and it will be the first of three matches between the two nations over the next five weeks.
just a week ago, England struggled in the first half against Australia’s Wallaroos at CorpAcq Stadium, where the visitors led 10-5 at the break, before winning the match 48-15 with seven tries in the second half.
The changes include an all-new front row, with Hannah Botterman, Bryony Field and Maud Muir all given starting roles after their supporting roles a week ago in Salford.
Morwenna Talling gets a starting role in the second row, partnering Lilli Ives Campion, while vice-captain Alex Matthews is named at No.8. Maddie Feaunati joins the replacements.
In the backs, Jess Breach is named as the starting wing, Helena Rowland is preferred to Tatyana Heard at inside centre, Zoe Harrison gets the keys at fly-half and Lucy Packer is named as the starting scrum-half. Natasha Hunt is not included in the matchday 23.
Mitchell made it 6-2 on the bench. After starting a week ago, May Campbell, Mackenzie Carson, Sarah Bern, Delaney Burns, Maddie Feaunati and Holly Aitchison will all have supporting roles. Marlie Packer and Flo Robinson complete the bench.
John Mitchell, head coach of the Red Roses, said: “This is the first Test of an exciting three-Test series between the world’s number one and number three sides.
“You need rivalries in our sport, and our rivalry with Canada is one that has evolved to a great level. They are a well-coached team that will bring a different challenge to that Australia presented. We will be expected to raise our standards.”
2026 WXV Global Series | Red Roses matchday 23 vs Canada
15 Ellie Kildunne (Bristol Bears, 63 games)
14 Jess Breach (Saracens, 57 games)
13 Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women, 39) – captain
12 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 52 games)
11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 41 games)
10 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 71 games)
9 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 45 caps)
1 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 63 appearances)
2 Bryony Field (Saracens, 1 game)
3 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 54 appearances)
4 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 30 drops)
5 Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning, 8 games)
6 Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women, 9 appearances)
7 Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 32 games)
8 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 82 games) – vice-captain
Replacements?
16 May Campbell (Saracens, 6 appearances)
17 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 29 games)
18 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 85 games)
19 Delaney Burns (Bristol Bears, 7 appearances)
20 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 28 games)
21 Marlie Packer (Harlequins, 117 games)
22 Flo Robinson (Exeter Chiefs, 5 games)
23 Holly Aitchison (Sale Sharks, 50 drops)