England’s elite women’s rugby side, the Red Roses, will line up with a refreshed back‑line for their opening test against Canada on Saturday, featuring the much‑anticipated returns of wing Jess Breach and No. 8 Alex Matthews. Both players were instrumental in England’s triumphant campaign at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, where they helped secure a victory over Canada in the final. Their inclusion comes as head coach John Mitchell has opted for a sweeping nine‑player overhaul ahead of the three‑match WXV series.
Breach, who has built a reputation for blistering speed and incisive footwork on the right flank, will partner with the rest of the back‑three in a unit designed to exploit any defensive lapses the Canadians might offer. Matthews, a powerful ball‑carrying forward, returns to the No. 8 jersey, bringing her experience of high‑pressure matches and a proven ability to break the line with strong carries and off‑loads. Their presence is expected to add both firepower and composure to a side that will be keen to assert its dominance early in the series.
The Red Roses’ schedule against Canada includes three test matches: the first in Exeter on Saturday, a second encounter in Toronto on Friday, 16 October, and a final showdown in Ottawa on Friday, 23 October. In addition, the team will face New Zealand on Saturday, 26 September, at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, providing a rigorous test of depth and adaptability across different conditions and opponents. A notable highlight from the previous week was the debut of hooker Bryony Field, who crossed the try‑line in England’s commanding win over the Wallaroos (Australia).
Her performance earned her a starting spot in a completely new front row that also features prop Hannah Botterman and fellow front‑rower Maud Muir. This trio brings a blend of youthful vigor and technical proficiency, aiming to establish a solid platform for the back‑line to launch attacks.
In the second row, Morwenna Talling returns to the starting XV, providing height and line‑out expertise alongside the other locks. The scrum‑half position will be occupied by Lucy Packer, who also notched a try against Australia, while Zoe Harrison will operate at fly‑half, orchestrating the back‑line’s movements and tactical kicking. Midfield duties will be shared by Helena Rowland, who re‑enters the lineup, and captain Meg Jones, whose leadership and defensive acumen are pivotal for the team’s cohesion. Three players from Exeter Chiefs – Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald, Maddie Feaunati and Flo Robinson – have been selected for the squad, underscoring the significance of the upcoming test being played at Sandy Park, the home ground of the Chiefs.
This will be the first occasion the Red Roses have taken the field at this venue since September 2023, offering a familiar environment for the club‑affiliated players and a chance to showcase the depth of talent emerging from the English domestic league. Mitchell, reflecting on the fixture, described it as "the first test of an exciting three‑test series between the No 1 and No 3 teams in the world." He emphasized the importance of rivalries in rugby, noting that the England‑Canada rivalry has matured into a compelling contest.
"They are a well‑coached team who will bring a different challenge to the one Australia presented. We will be expected to raise our standards," Mitchell added, highlighting the strategic adjustments England must make to counter Canada’s evolving game plan. The squad boasts an impressive collective experience, tallying 974 test caps across its members. Fourteen of the 23 match‑day players were part of the World Cup final triumph, illustrating the blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talent that Mitchell is looking to harness.
The announced starting XV reads as follows: 15 Ellie Kildunne, 14 Jess Breach, 13 Megan Jones (c), 12 Helena Rowland, 11 Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald, 10 Zoe Harrison, 9 Lucy Packer; 1 Hannah Botterman, 2 Bryony Field, 3 Maud Muir, 4 Morwenna Talling, 5 Lilli Ives Campion, 6 Abi Burton, 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Alex Matthews. The bench includes May Campbell, Mackenzie Carson, Sarah Bern, Delaney Burns, Maddie Feaunati, Marlie Packer, Flo Robinson and Holly Aitchison.
Beyond the immediate tactical considerations, the match presents an opportunity for England to test new combinations ahead of the New Zealand clash and the remainder of the WXV series. The integration of returning stars like Breach and Matthews with debutants such as Field reflects Mitchell’s broader vision of building a squad capable of sustaining success across multiple tournaments. As the Red Roses prepare to take the field at Sandy Park, fans can anticipate a high‑intensity contest that will set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested series between two of the world’s top women’s rugby nations.