Marlie Packer to lead revamped England side against Samoa in Women's Rugby World Cup
England make 13 changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s World Cup clash at Franklin’s Gardens, with Marlie Packer named captain.
Venue: Franklin's Gardens, Northampton Date: Saturday, 30 August Kick-off: 17:00 BST
Coverage: Live on INLIBER Two, INLIBER Radio 5 Sports Extra, INLIBER Sport website and app.
England make sweeping changes
England have named 13 new starters for their Women's Rugby World Cup clash against Samoa in Northampton, with Marlie Packer stepping in as captain. Head coach John Mitchell has rotated most of his regular squad, resting key players after the Red Roses opened the tournament with a 69-7 victory over the United States.
Key selection updates
- Helena Rowland and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald return from injury to start at fly-half and left wing.
- Jess Breach, one try short of 50 international scores, retains her wing position after two tries against the USA.
- Megan Jones and Jade Shekells form the midfield partnership, with Emma Sing at full-back.
- Debutants Lilli Ives Campion (lock) and Abi Burton (flanker) join the forward pack, alongside number eight Maddie Feaunati, whose father represented Samoa.
Samoa, ranked 15th and fully amateur, suffered a heavy 73-0 defeat to Australia in their opening match. England, fresh from a fourth consecutive Six Nations Grand Slam, aim for a bonus-point victory to secure a knockout-stage berth.
England squad
Starting XV: Emma Sing; Jess Breach; Megan Jones; Jade Shekells; Claudia Moloney-MacDonald; Helena Rowland; Marlie Packer (captain); Abbie Clarke; Rosie Atkin-Davies; Tabitha Bern; Lilli Ives Campion; Niamh Galligan; Abi Burton; Marlie Packer; Maddie Feaunati.
Replacements: Lucy Campbell; Sarah Carson; Izzy Muir; Helena Talling; Asha Kabeya; Hannah Hunt; Sophie Harrison; Sarah Kildunne.
The depth of England's squad was on full display as Marlie Packer led a near-entirely new side in a major rotation ahead of the knockout stages.
This topic was reported by BBC Sport.
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