Loughborough Lightning’s Helena Rowland returns to the Red Roses’ starting line-up for this weekend’s eagerly-anticipated clash with Canada.
The versatile back arrived as a replacement against Australia last weekend but on Saturday at Sandy Park (kick-off: 3pm), she slots in at inside centre alongside captain Meg Jones.
Lilli Ives Campion remains in the second row while Sadia Kabeya, a tryscorer in the WXV Global Series opening round encounter a week ago, goes again at open side flanker.
“This is the first Test of an exciting three-Test series between the number one and number three teams in the world,” England Head Coach John Mitchell said. “You need rivalries in our sport and our rivalry with Canada is one that has evolved to a great level. They are a well-coached team who will bring a different challenge to the one Australia presented. We will be expected to raise our standards.”
RED ROSES TEAM TO PLAY CANADA
15 Ellie Kildunne (Bristol Bears, 63 caps)
14 Jess Breach (Saracens, 57 caps)
13 Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women, 39) – captain
12 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 52 caps)
11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 41 caps)
10 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 71 caps)
9 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 45 caps)
1 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 63 caps)
2 Bryony Field (Saracens, 1 cap)
3 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 54 caps)
4 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 30 caps)
5 Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning, 8 caps)
6 Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women, 9 caps)
7 Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 32 caps)
8 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 82 caps) – vice captain
Replacements
16 May Campbell (Saracens, 6 caps)
17 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 29 caps)
18 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 85 caps)
19 Delaney Burns (Bristol Bears, 7 caps)
20 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 28 caps)
21 Marlie Packer (Harlequins, 117 caps)
22 Flo Robinson (Exeter Chiefs, 5 caps)
23 Holly Aitchison (Sale Sharks, 50 caps)
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