Maddie Feaunati is set to make her first Test start for England as they face France in Gloucester this Saturday.
Head coach John Mitchell has made just two changes from the squad that secured a Six Nations Grand Slam victory over France in Bordeaux last season.
Exeter flanker Feaunati replaces the injured Sadia Kabeya, while centre Helena Rowland steps in for Megan Jones, who is also sidelined.
Feaunati, aged 22, made five appearances as a replacement during the 2024 Six Nations, but now starts in the back row along with captain Marlie Packer and number eight Alex Matthews.
England Under-20 skipper Lilli Ives Campion is set to earn her first cap from the bench, while Zoe Harrison is poised to make her 50th appearance for the Red Roses. Bristol prop Sarah Bern also makes a return to the squad after missing the Six Nations due to injury.
This weekend’s clash is the first of two games for England, with a match against New Zealand scheduled for September 14, before they kick off their WXV 1 campaign in Canada.
The WXV 1 tournament will see England taking on the United States on September 29, followed by matches against New Zealand and Canada.
Mitchell expressed his excitement for the upcoming games, highlighting the team’s growth in pre-season and their eagerness to face world-class opposition in preparation for WXV and beyond.
“It is a special place and this weekend the girls have an opportunity to make their own memories together,” Mitchell said.
England team to play France: Ellie Kildunne; Abby Dow, Helena Rowland, Tatyana Heard, Jess Breach; Holly Aitchison, Natasha Hunt; Hannah Botterman, Amy Cokayne, Maud Muir, Zoe Aldcroft, Morwenna Talling, Maddie Feaunati, Marlie Packer (capt), Alex Matthews.
Replacements: Lark Atkin-Davies, Mackenzie Carson, Sarah Bern, Lilli Ives Campion, Poppy Cleall, Lucy Packer, Zoe Harrison, Emily Scarratt.
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