The England women’s rugby team, known as the Red Roses, have made three adjustments to their starting XV ahead of Saturday's pivotal encounter with the Black Ferns at Sydney's Allianz Stadium. Front‑row prop Sarah Bern, prop Mackenzie Carson and hooker Bryony Field have all been handed the nod to start, with Field earning her second start in the number two jersey. In the back row, Maddie Feaunati returns to the number eight role, prompting a shift for vice‑captain Alex Matthews, who will now line up as blind‑side flanker. The second row remains stable with Morwenna Talling and Lilli Ives‑Campion retaining their places, while the back‑row slot is completed by Sadia Kabeya, ensuring a balanced and experienced pack.
The coaching staff, led by head coach John Mitchell, have emphasized the importance of depth and continuity as they prepare for this high‑stakes test match. Mitchell reflected on the team's recent form, noting that after a historic 39‑match winning streak was halted by a 26‑26 draw against Canada at Sandy Park, the squad is "moving forward in the right direction while building depth in our cover." He added that the upcoming clash with New Zealand marks the renewal of a rivalry that has not been contested since 2024, and praised the Kiwis for their current high‑quality rugby, saying it is no surprise they are raising the bar. Mitchell also highlighted the excitement of playing test matches against the world’s elite, especially in the iconic atmosphere of Allianz Stadium.
The backline has been left untouched from the side that faced Canada, with Lucy Packer and Zoe Harrison continuing as scrum‑half and fly‑half respectively. The centre partnership of Helena Rowland and captain Megan Jones remains intact, providing a solid defensive and attacking platform. On the wing, Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald retains her spot after scoring two tries at Sandy Park, while the outside backs Ellie Kildunne and Jess Breach complete the back three, offering a blend of speed, power and finishing ability. Among the bench, experienced players Natasha Hunt and Tatyana Heard have been recalled into the 23‑man squad, and newcomer Emma Sing is set to make her debut in the WXV Global Series.
The depth of the replacement bench reflects England's strategic aim to maintain momentum and adapt to the dynamic nature of modern test rugby. The match is expected to draw a crowd of over 50,000 spectators, underscoring the growing popularity of women's rugby in Australia and the significance of the 34th meeting between the Red Roses and the Black Ferns. England boast an impressive home record, unbeaten in their last 53 matches at home since a 20‑25 loss to New Zealand at the Twickenham Stoop in November 2016. They have also secured victory in each of their last 13 fixtures at Allianz Stadium, while New Zealand have suffered only a single defeat in 17 games since the start of 2025, highlighting the competitive balance between the two sides.
The full starting lineup for England reads as follows: 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 include 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, the Black Ferns, enter the match as the last side to defeat England in a major tournament, having upset the Roses in the final of the 2022 Women's Rugby World Cup.
Head coach Whitney Hansen has reinforced her squad with the return of loose forward Kaipo Olsen‑Baker, winger Ayesha Leti‑I'iga and lock Laura Bayfield, following a dominant 66‑14 victory over Scotland. Hansen, daughter of former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, described her players as "made for these moments" and expressed confidence in building on a streak of seven consecutive test wins this year. She emphasized the team's desire to test their rugby identity against England, stating, "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 XV includes: 15 Braxton Sorensen‑McGee, 14 Mererangi Paul, 13 Logo‑I‑Pulotu Brunt, 12 Amy Du Plessis, 11 Ayesha Leti‑I'iga; 10 Hannah King, 9 Maia Joseph; 1 Chryss Viliko, 2 Georgian Ponsonby (captain), 3 Veisinia Mahutariki‑Fakalelu, 4 Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 5 Laura Bayfield, 6 Liana Mikaele‑Tu'u, 7 Elinor‑Plum King, 8 Kaipo Olsen‑Baker. Their bench features Atlanta Lolohea, Maddison Robinson, Santo Taumata, Maama Mo'onia Vaipulu, Layla Sae, Tara Turner, Justine McGregor and Alena Saili.
Both teams bring a mixture of seasoned internationals and emerging talent, promising a contest that will test skill, strategy and resilience. England will look to extend their unbeaten home run and capitalize on the momentum generated by recent performances, while New Zealand aim to reassert their dominance and continue their impressive test record. The clash at Allianz Stadium is poised to be a showcase of the highest quality women's rugby, reflecting the sport's rapid growth and the fierce rivalry between two of the world's premier nations.