women
international women
Red Roses boss John Mitchell has made three changes to his starting XV to face the Black Ferns at the Allianz Stadium.
Changes include starts for prop duo Mackenzie Carson and Sarah Bern, who join Bryony Field in the front row. Field earns her second consecutive Test start, while Lilli Ives Campion and Morwenna Talling form a back-row partnership.
Maddie Feaunati also returns to the starting line-up after striking strongly off the bench in England’s 26-26 draw with Canada last week. Her inclusion at No.8 sees Alex Matthews move to blindside flanker and Sadia Kabeya round out the back row at openside flanker.
The back line remains unchanged. Lucy Packer and Zoe Harrison are again paired at full-back, with Helena Rowland and Megan Jones in the centres. Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, Jess Breach and Ellie Kildunne make up the other three.
There are also a few changes among the replacements. Last week’s starting props Hannah Botterman and Maud Muir move to the bench along with May Campbell as front-row replacements. Abi Burton replaces Delaney Burns as a lock option, while Marlie Packer is named on the bench for the third time this month.
Natasha Hunt and Tatyana Heard return to the matchday squad for the first time since England’s 48-15 win over the Wallaroos in Manchester. Emma Sing was also named in the squad for the first time this autumn.
More than 50,000 tickets have already been sold for WXV Global Series clash, which takes place just a day before the first anniversary of England Women’s Rugby World Cup Triumph 2025
John Mitchell, head coach of the Red Roses, said: “We are moving forward in the right direction as we build depth in our cover. We now look forward to renewing our rivalry with New Zealand a side we haven’t played since 2024.
“They are playing good rugby at the moment and it is no surprise to see them raise their standards.
“Test matches against the best teams in the world are something we enjoy and look forward to, especially at the Allianz Stadium.”
2026 WXV Global Series | Red Roses squad for the match against New Zealand
15 Ellie Kildunne (Bristol Bears, 64 appearances)
14 Jess Breach (Saracens, 58 games)
13 Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women, 40 drops)
12 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 53 games)
11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 42 games)
10 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 72 games)
9 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 46 caps)
1 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester Hartpury, 30 games)
2 Bryony Field (Saracens, 2 games)
3 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 86 games)
4 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 31 caps)
5 Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning, 10 games)
6 Alex Matthews (Gloucester Hartpury, 83 games)
7 Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 34 games)
8 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 29 games)
Substitutions
16 May Campbell (Saracens, 7 appearances)
17 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 64 appearances)
18 Maud Muir (Gloucester Hartpury, 55 games)
19 Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women, 11 appearances)
20 Marlie Packer (Harlequins, 118 games)
21 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester Hartpury, 90 games)
22 Tatyana Heard (Sharks Sale, 37 appearances)
23 Emma Singh (Gloucester Hartpury, 17 games)
