
England’s Red Roses have made 13 changes for their second Women’s World Cup match against Samoa on Saturday as head coach John Mitchell looks to give his squad valuable game time.
Wing Jess Breach, one try away from 50 for her country, and centre Meg Jones retain their places from the 69-7 win over USA at the Stadium of Light last Friday but it is all change elsewhere for the game at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton (5pm).
Former captain Marlie Packer will deputise for rested skipper Zoe Aldcroft, while Emma Sing starts at full-back in place of the rested Ellie Kildunne, who is named on the bench, and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald returns from injury at No 11.
Jones will line up alongside fellow centre and tournament debutant Jade Shekells, with Helena Rowland, back from an ankle issue, at scrum-half and Lucy Packer at fly-half.
Kelsey Clifford, Lark Atkin-Davies and Sarah Bern make up a new-look front row, with Rosie Galligan and Lilli Ives Campion the locks and Marlie Packer skippering from openside flanker.
Abi Burton wears the No 6 jersey with Maddie Feaunati at No 8 against the country her dad, Zak, appeared for 13 times.
Fly-half Holly Aitchison (ankle) misses out again.
Samoa lost their opening Pool A match 73-0 to Australia, the nation England play their final group game against in Brighton on Saturday September 6.
Head coach Mitchell said: “It has been in our planning to give everyone game time over the first two pool matches and, bar Holly [Aitchison], we’ve been able to execute that with this selection.
“Our new combination want to make each other proud and build on our performance against USA in our opening match.
“It will be a great atmosphere for them at one of the most traditional rugby grounds in the country. They’re all excited to get out there.”
Red Roses squad to face Samoa
Starting XV: 15 Emma Sing; 14 Jess Breach, 13 Megan Jones, 12 Jade Shekells, 11 Claudei Moloney-MacDonald; 10 Helana Rowland, 9 Lucy Packer; 1 Kelsey Clifford, 2 Lark Atkin-Davies, 3 Sarah Bern, 4 Lilli Ives Campion, 5 Rosie Galligan, 6 Abi Burton, 7 Marlie Packer (captain), 8 Maddie Feaunati.
Replacements: 16 May Campbell, 17 Mackenzie Carson, 18 Maud Muir, 19 Morwenna Talling, 20 Sadia Kabeya, 21 Natasha Hunt, 22 Zoe Harrison, 23 Ellie Kildunne.
Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 results and fixtures
Pool stage
Pool A
August 22: England 69-7 USA (Sunderland)
August 23: Australia 73-0 Samoa (Salford)
August 30: England vs Samoa – Northampton, 5pm
August 30: United States vs Australia – York, 7.30pm
September 6: United States vs Samoa – York, 1.30pm
September 6: England vs Australia – Brighton, 5pm
Pool B
August 23: Scotland 38-8 Wales (Salford)
August 23: Canada 65-7 Fiji (York)
August 30: Canada vs Wales – Salford, 12pm
August 30: Scotland vs Fiji – Salford, 2.45pm
September 6: Canada vs Scotland – Exeter, 12pm
September 6: Wales vs Fiji – Exeter, 2.45pm
Pool C
August 24: Ireland 42-14 Japan (Northampton)
August 24: New Zealand 54-8 Spain (York)
August 31: Ireland vs Spain – Northampton, 12pm
August 31: New Zealand vs Japan – Exeter, 2pm
September 7: Japan vs Spain – York, 12pm
September 7: New Zealand vs Ireland – Brighton, 2.45pm
Pool D
August 23: France 24-0 Italy (Exeter)
August 24: South Africa 66-6 Brazil (Northampton)
August 31: Italy vs South Africa – York, 3.30pm
August 31: France vs Brazil – Exeter, 4.45pm
September 7: Italy vs Brazil – Northampton, 2pm
September 7: France vs South Africa – Northampton, 4.45pm
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