The England women's rugby squad, known as the Red Roses, have made three alterations to their starting XV for the high‑stakes encounter with the Black Ferns at Sydney's Allianz Stadium this Saturday. Front‑row prop Sarah Bern, fellow prop Mackenzie Carson and hooker Bryony Field have all earned places in the match‑day team, with Field set to make her second start in the number two jersey. In the back row, veteran Maddie Feaunati returns to the number eight position, which pushes vice‑captain Alex Matthews into the blind‑side flanker role. The second‑row pairing of Morwenna Talling and Lilli Ives Campion remains unchanged, and the back‑row unit is rounded out by Sadia Kabeya.
The Red Roses' recent form has been impressive, though their astonishing 39‑match winning streak was halted last week when they were held to a 26‑26 draw by Canada at Sandy Park. Head coach John Mitchell reflected on that result, saying, "We're moving forward in the right direction while building depth in our cover.
Now we look forward to renewing a rivalry with a New Zealand side we haven't played since 2024. They are playing good rugby at the moment and it's no surprise to see them raise their standards.
Test matches against the best teams in the world are what we relish and look forward to, especially at Allianz Stadium." The backline will stay exactly as it was for the Canada draw. Scrum‑half Lucy Packer and fly‑half Zoe Harrison will direct the attack, while centre partnership of Helena Rowland and captain Megan Jones provides the midfield engine.
On the wings, Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald retains her place after scoring two tries at Sandy Park, and the outside backs Ellie Kildunne and Jess Breach complete the three‑quarter line. Among the bench, experienced forwards Natasha Hunt and Tatyana Heard have been recalled, and Gloucester‑Hartpury's Emma Sing is set for her debut in the WXV Global Series. The atmosphere at Allianz Stadium is expected to be electric, with more than 50,000 fans anticipated for the 34th meeting between England and New Zealand. The Red Roses have been dominant on home soil, unbeaten in their last 53 matches since a 20‑25 loss to the Black Ferns at the Twickenham Stoop in November 2016.
They have also won each of their last 13 games at Allianz Stadium, while the Black Ferns have suffered only a single defeat in 17 matches since the start of 2025. England's starting XV will be: 15 Ellie Kildunne (Bristol Bears), 14 Jess Breach (Saracens), 13 Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women), 12 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning), 11 Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs), 10 Zoe Harrison (Saracens), 9 Lucy Packer (Harlequins); 1 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester‑Hartpury), 2 Bryony Field (Saracens), 3 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears), 4 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks), 5 Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning), 6 Alex Matthews (Gloucester‑Hartpury), 7 Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning), 8 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs).
The replacements are May Campbell (Saracens), Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears), Maud Muir (Gloucester‑Hartpury), Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women), Marlie Packer (Harlequins), Natasha Hunt (Gloucester‑Hartpury), Tatyana Heard (Sale Sharks) and Emma Sing (Gloucester‑Hartpury). New Zealand, who were the last side to defeat England in the final of the 2022 Women's Rugby World Cup, have also tweaked their squad.
Head coach Whitney Hansen, daughter of former All Blacks boss Steve Hansen, has recalled loose forward Kaipo Olsen‑Baker, winger Ayesha Leti‑I'iga and lock Laura Bayfield after a dominant 66‑14 victory over Scotland. Hansen praised her players, describing them as "made for these moments" and emphasizing the desire to build on a run of seven consecutive Test wins this year. She added, "We've continued to grow each week and we're excited to put our rugby identity to the test against England." The Black Ferns' starting lineup will feature Braxton Sorensen‑McGee at fullback, Mererangi Paul on the right wing, Logo‑I‑Pulotu Brunt at outside centre, Amy Du Plessis at inside centre and Ayesha Leti‑I'iga on the left wing. The half‑back pairing consists of fly‑half Hannah King and scrum‑half Maia Joseph.
The forwards will be led by captain Georgian Ponsonby at hooker, with Chryss Viliko at prop, Veisinia Mahutariki‑Fakalelu and Maiakawanakaulani Roos filling the second row, Laura Bayfield at lock, Liana Mikaele‑Tu'u and Elinor‑Plum King on the flanks, and Kaipo Olsen‑Baker at number eight. Their bench includes Atlanta Lolohea, Maddison Robinson, Santo Taumata, Maama Mo'onia Vaipulu, Layla Sae, Tara Turner, Justine McGregor and Alena Saili. Both teams enter the match with a wealth of experience and a hunger for victory. England will be looking to bounce back from the draw with Canada and extend their unbeaten home record, while New Zealand aim to re‑assert their dominance after a strong start to the season.
The clash promises to be a showcase of skill, power and tactical acumen, with the world's two premier women's rugby nations vying for supremacy on a grand stage. Fans can expect a tightly contested battle, moments of individual brilliance, and a possible shift in the balance of power in women's international rugby.