The Red Roses have tweaked their roster for the highly anticipated clash against the Black Ferns at Sydney's Allianz Stadium this Saturday, introducing three fresh faces into the match‑day squad. Prop Sarah Bern, prop Mackenzie Carson and hooker Bryony Field have all earned spots in the starting XV, providing a blend of experience and new energy for the England side as they prepare to face New Zealand in what promises to be a fiercely contested encounter. In the front row, Bern and Carson will lock in alongside Field, who is making her second start at hooker for the national team. Their inclusion signals coach John Mitchell’s intent to deepen the forward pack and give emerging talent the chance to prove themselves on the world stage.
At the back of the scrum, Maddie Feaunati returns to the No. 8 jersey, a move that pushes vice‑captain Alex Matthews out of the number eight role and into the blind‑side flanker position. This strategic shift aims to maximise Matthews’ work rate around the breakdown while allowing Feaunati to exploit her ball‑carrying prowess from the base of the scrum. The second row remains stable, with Morwenna Talling and Lilli Ives‑Campion retaining their places, providing continuity in the engine room.
Completing the back row, Sadia Kabeya slots in as the final forward, bringing her dynamic tackling and turnover skills to the mix. Together, this forward cohort blends physicality, mobility and fresh tactical options that could prove decisive against a New Zealand side that has been in fine form.
The backline is unchanged from the line‑up that endured a dramatic 26‑26 draw with Canada at Sandy Park last week. Half‑backs Lucy Packer and Zoe Harrison will once again marshal the attack, while the centre partnership of Helena Rowland and captain Megan Jones provides both defensive solidity and attacking flair. On the wings, Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald retains her place after scoring two tries at Sandy Park, and the back three also includes seasoned backs Ellie Kildunne and Jess Breach, both of whom bring a potent mix of speed, power and finishing ability. On the bench, the Red Roses have added depth with the return of Natasha Hunt and Tatyana Heard to the 23‑man squad, while Emma Sing is set to make her debut appearance in the WXV Global Series.
The full list of replacements – May Campbell, Hannah Botterman, Maud Muir, Abi Burton, Marlie Packer, Hunt, Heard and Sing – offers a variety of options across the forward and back divisions, ensuring the coaching staff can respond to injuries or tactical shifts during the game. The match carries significant historical weight.
Over 50,000 spectators are expected at Allianz Stadium for the 34th meeting between England’s Red Roses and New Zealand’s Black Ferns. The Red Roses have not lost a home game since a 20‑25 defeat to the Ferns at the Twickenham Stoop in November 2016, amassing an unbeaten run of 53 matches on English soil.
Moreover, they have won each of their last 13 fixtures at Allianz Stadium, while the Black Ferns have suffered only a single loss in 17 games since the start of 2025, underscoring the magnitude of the contest. Coach John Mitchell reflected on the team’s recent form, noting that the 39‑match winning streak was halted by a hard‑fought draw against Canada.
"We’re moving forward in the right direction while building depth in our cover," Mitchell said. "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." For New Zealand, head coach Whitney Hansen has also made strategic selections. The Black Ferns bring back loose forward Kaipo Olsen‑Baker, winger Ayesha Leti‑I'iga and lock Laura Bayfield after a dominant 66‑14 victory over Scotland.
Hansen, daughter of former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, praised her squad as "made for these moments" and emphasized the importance of building on a run of seven consecutive Test wins this year. "We’ve continued to grow each week and we’re excited to put our rugby identity to the test against England," she added.
The line‑ups for the match are as follows: England (Red Roses): 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). Replacements: 16 May Campbell (Saracens), 17 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears), 18 Maud Muir (Gloucester‑Hartpury), 19 Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women), 20 Marlie Packer (Harlequins), 21 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester‑Hartpury), 22 Tatyana Heard (Sale Sharks), 23 Emma Sing (Gloucester‑Hartpury). New Zealand (Black Ferns): 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. Replacements: 16 Atlanta Lolohea, 17 Maddison Robinson, 18 Santo Taumata, 19 Maama Mo'onia Vaipulu, 20 Layla Sae, 21 Tara Turner, 22 Justine McGregor, 23 Alena Saili.
Both teams will be looking to cement their status among the elite of women’s rugby. England will aim to extend their home dominance and bounce back from the recent draw, while New Zealand seeks to reassert the superiority that saw them lift the 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
With the atmosphere at Allianz Stadium expected to be electric and the stakes high, the match will not only be a test of skill and strategy but also a showcase of the growing popularity and professionalism of women’s rugby worldwide.