Maddie Fionati will make her England debut on trial when the Pink Roses face France in Gloucester on Saturday.
Head coach John Mitchell made simply two modifications to the squad that gained final season’s Six Nations Grand Slam victory over France in Bordeaux.
Exeter winger Fionati is certainly one of them, changing the injured Sadia Kabea, whereas middle Helena Rowland replaces Megan Jones, who can be absent.
Fionati, 22, made 5 appearances as an alternative in the course of the 2024 Six Nations however will now be a part of captain Mary Parker and quantity eight Alex Matthews within the again row from the beginning.
On the bench, England Below-20 captain Lilli Ives Campion is about to make her worldwide debut, whereas Zoe Harrison is about to have fun her fiftieth crimson rose The staff seems. Bristol prop Sarah Bern was among the many substitutes after lacking the Six Nations via harm.
Saturday’s recreation is the primary of two video games for England – who additionally host New Zealand on September 14 – earlier than beginning their WXV 1 season in Canada.
Within the WXV 1 Championship, England will face the US on September 29, adopted by video games towards New Zealand and Canada.
Mitchell stated: “We’re excited to get began as the ladies have carried out effectively in pre-season, elevating their requirements and constructing their resilience.
“The women simply need to compete and we’ve chosen to host world-class opponents, permitting us to simply accept the problem and lift our recreation heading into WXV and an thrilling 2025.
“I’ve nice reminiscences of enjoying for the All Blacks at Kingsholm and successful my first recreation as Sale coach.
“It is a particular place and this weekend the ladies have the chance to create their very own reminiscences collectively.”
England vs France: Ellie Kildunn; Abby Dow, Helena Loren, Tatiana Hurd, Jessie Breach; Holly Aitchison, Natasha Hunter; Hannah Portman, Amy Cockayne, Maud Muir, Zoe Aldercroft, Morwenna Tarling, Maddie Fionati, Mary Parker (Captain), Alex Matthews.
Options: Lark Atkin-Davies, Mackenzie Carson, Sarah Byrne, Lily Ives Campion, Pappy Clear, Lucy Parker, Zoe Harrison, Emily scarlatt.
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