England’s Red Roses are set to field a revitalised line‑up for the opening match of a three‑test series against Canada, with seasoned internationals Jess Breach and Alex Matthews back in the starting XV. 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. Breach will take her place on the right wing, while Matthews returns to the No. 8 jersey, bringing experience and physicality to the back row.
Head coach John Mitchell has opted for a sweeping nine‑player overhaul ahead of the first test, which will be played at Exeter’s Sandy Park on Saturday. The changes reflect Mitchell’s desire to refresh the squad after the World Cup while maintaining a core of players who delivered success on the biggest stage.
In addition to Breach and Matthews, the revamped forward pack features a completely new front row: hooker Bryony Field, who marked her international debut with a try in a dominant win over Australia, will start alongside seasoned prop Hannah Botterman and the emerging talent Maud Muir. This all‑changed front row aims to combine raw power with technical proficiency. The second row also sees a return to form with Morwenna Talling re‑entering the starting fifteen.
Talling’s line‑out expertise and ball‑carrying ability will be crucial against a Canadian pack that is known for its physicality and set‑piece discipline. In the half‑back department, scrum‑half Lucy Packer, another try‑scorer from the Wallaroos encounter, earns the starting role, while fly‑half Zoe Harrison will operate outside her, orchestrating the attack and providing strategic kicking options. In the backline, Helena Rowland regains her spot in the midfield, partnering captain Meg Jones, who continues to lead the side with composure and tactical awareness.
This midfield pairing blends Rowland’s incisive running lines with Jones’s defensive solidity, creating a balanced platform for the Reds to launch attacks. The wing positions are bolstered by the return of Breach on the right and Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald, a dynamic Exeter Chiefs player, on the left. Both wings bring speed and finishing prowess, essential for exploiting any gaps in the Canadian defence.
The squad also includes three more Exeter Chiefs representatives – Maddie Feaunati and Flo Robinson, alongside Moloney‑MacDonald – underscoring the club’s growing influence on the national team. Their familiarity with each other’s playing styles should enhance cohesion, particularly as the Red Roses prepare to play at their own club ground for the first time since September 2023. Mitchell highlighted the significance of the series, describing 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 elevating the sport, noting that the England‑Canada rivalry has matured into a high‑stakes contest. “Canada are a well‑coached side that will present a different challenge to what we faced against Australia,” Mitchell said.
“We will be expected to raise our standards.” The Red Roses bring a wealth of experience to the field, with the squad collectively amassing 974 test caps. Fourteen of the match‑day 23 were part of the World Cup final triumph, providing a solid foundation of winning mentality. The match‑day lineup is as follows: - 15 Ellie Kildunne (full‑back) - 14 Jess Breach (right wing) - 13 Meg Jones (captain, inside centre) - 12 Helena Rowland (outside centre) - 11 Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald (left wing) - 10 Zoe Harrison (fly‑half) - 9 Lucy Packer (scrum‑half) - 1 Hannah Botterman (loosehead prop) - 2 Bryony Field (hooker) - 3 Maud Muir (tighthead prop) - 4 Morwenna Talling (lock) - 5 Lilli Ives Campion (lock) - 6 Abi Burton (blindside flanker) - 7 Sadia Kabeya (openside flanker) - 8 Alex Matthews (number 8) The bench includes May Campbell, Mackenzie Carson, Sarah Bern, Delaney Burns, Maddie Feaunati, Marlie Packer, Flo Robinson and Holly Aitchison, providing depth across the forward pack and backline. Looking ahead, the Red Roses will travel to Canada for the second test in Toronto on Friday, October 16, before concluding the series in Ottawa on Friday, October 23.
A further high‑profile clash against New Zealand is scheduled for Saturday, September 26 at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, adding another layer of excitement to an already packed international calendar. The series against Canada offers England an opportunity to fine‑tune tactics, assess squad depth, and build momentum ahead of the upcoming New Zealand test, which will pit the world’s top two women’s rugby nations against each other in a marquee showdown. Overall, the strategic rotation and infusion of fresh talent aim to keep England at the forefront of women’s rugby, ensuring the Red Roses remain a dominant force while also fostering the development of the next generation of players.