Marley Packer will lead a much-renewed Red Roses side into their clash with Samoa in Northampton on Saturday (5pm), replacing the injured Zoe Aldcroft. Only winger Jess Breach and centre Megan Jones will be retained from their comfortable 69-7 win over the USA last week, following a rotation by head coach John Mitchell.
Pictured: Marley Packer will captain the Red Roses against Samoa in the Women's World Cup.
England have made 13 changes to their starting line-up ahead of their second World Cup group game against Samoa, with coach John Mitchell keen to ensure the players get maximum practice in competitive encounters.
Jess Breach, one try away from reaching 50 goals for her country, and Megan Jones are the only two to retain their places in the starting line-up after the triumph over the Americans at the Stadium of Light, with other positions changed ahead of the game at Franklin Gardens.
Previous captain Marley Packer replaces Zoe Aldcroft, who is out with a knee injury sustained against the United States. Aldcroft will miss the remaining group games against Samoa and Australia in Brighton.
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Pictured: Captain Zoe Aldcroft will not play in the remaining group stage matches.
Packer, who returns from suspension against Spain, commented on Aldcroft's absence: “We've taken on extra responsibilities this week with Megan.”
“We supported Zoe in all matters, but she also helped us during training. We had a separate meeting to discuss how we wanted to be seen by the team. We are equal, but Zoe is still part of the process.”
Rowland returns as England continue rotation
Emma Singh will take over at full-back in place of Ellie Kildunn, who has been moved to the reserves, while Claudia Moloney-McDonald will return to the left wing after recovering from her injury. Joining Jones in the centre is tournament debutant Jade Shackels. Helena Rowland, who has recovered from an ankle injury, will take over at scrum-half, while Lucy Packer will be the fly-half.
The front line of scrum will feature a new trio of Kelsey Clifford, Lark Atkin-Davies and Sarah Byrne, with Rosie Galligan and Lilly Ives Campion forming a pair of locks and Marley Packer leading the team at flanker.
Pictured: Ellie Kildunn has been benched for the upcoming match.
Abi Burton will wear No.6 and Maddie Feonatti No.8 against the team that her father Zach (13 caps for Samoa) played for. Midfielder Holly Aitchison (ankle) and Emily Scarratt (shoulder problem) are missing from the squad.
Head coach Mitchell said: “We were able to give most of the players playing time in the first two rounds, with the exception of Holly. We deliberately did not take any risks with her health so that she could fully recover.”
“The team is looking forward to playing a great game in the historic atmosphere of Franklin Gardens. This is a special opportunity for the girls.”
Red Roses squad for Samoa match
Main squad: 15 Emma Poy; 14 Jess Breach, 13 Megan Jones, 12 Jade Shackels, 11 Claudia Moloney-McDonald; 10 Helana Rowland, 9 Lucy Packer; 1 Kelsey Clifford, 2 Lark Atkin-Davies, 3 Sarah Byrne, 4 Lilly Ives Campion, 5 Rosie Galligan, 6 Abi Burton, 7 Marley Packer (c), 8 Maddie Feonati.
Subs: 16 May Campbell, 17 Mackenzie Carson, 18 Maud Muir, 19 Morwenna Talling, 20 Sadia Kabeya, 21 Natasha Hunt, 22 Zoe Harrison, 23 Ellie Kildunn.
2025 Women's World Cup Schedule and Results
Group stage
Group A
22 August: England 69-7 USA (Sunderland)
23 August: Australia 73-0 Samoa (Salford)
August 30: England v Samoa v Northampton, 17:00
August 30: USA – Australia – York, 19:30
September 6: USA vs. Samoa vs. York, 1:30 p.m.
September 6: England v Australia v Brighton, 17:00
Group B
23 August: Scotland 38-8 Wales (Salford)
August 23: Canada 65-7 Fiji (York)
August 30: Canada v Wales v Salford, 12:00
August 30: Scotland v Fiji v Salford, 14:45
September 6: Canada v Scotland – Exeter, 12:00
6 September: Wales v Fiji – Exeter, 14:45
Group C
24 August: Ireland 42-14 Japan (Northampton)
24 August: New Zealand 54-8 Spain (York)
August 31: Ireland v Spain v Northampton, 12:00
August 31: New Zealand v Japan v Exeter, 14:00
September 7: Japan vs. Spain vs. York, 12:00
September 7: New Zealand v Ireland v Brighton, 14:45
Group D
23 August: France 24-0 Italy (Exeter)
24 August: South Africa 66-6 Brazil (Northampton)
August 31: Italy vs. South Africa vs. York, 15:30
August 31: France v Brazil v Exeter, 16:45
September 7: Italy v Brazil v Northampton, 14:00
September 7: France v South Africa v Northampton, 16:45
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