"Red Roses Return" - England Women's Team to Face Canada in WXV1 Warm-Up Test - Ruck
Women's Rugby WXV

“Red Roses Return” – England Women’s Team to Face Canada in WXV1 Warm-Up Test

21 September 2023
Tom Sansom

England Women return to action this weekend, as they take on Canada in the first of a two-match series. The Red Roses will first play against the North Americans at Exeter Chiefs’ Sandy Park this Saturday, before the second leg takes place at Saracens’ StoneX Stadium on Saturday 30th September.

Saturday’s match will be aired live on England Rugby’s YouTube Channel, with a 14:30 Kick-Off.

Helena Rowland of England Women on the break during the TikTok Womens Six Nations match between England Women and Wales Women at Kingsholm Stadium on April 9 2022 in Gloucester, England. (Photo by Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)

England have not played since they won their fifth consecutive Women’s Six Nations title back in April. The Red Roses secured the Grand Slam with a triumphant victory over France, in what was Simon Middleton’s last match as Head Coach, ending his tenure of eight years. This is undoubtedly a time of great change for the Red Roses, as all-time leading capped England player Sarah Hunter hung up her boots after the first match of the 2023 Women’s Six Nations.

Hunter bowed out in her hometown of Newcastle, as England secured a big win over Scotland at Kingston Park. England will be looking to build momentum with these two matches against Canada, before they head to New Zealand for the inaugural WXV global tournament that kicks off next month. The Red Roses have been seeded into the top tier, WXV1, after winning the 2023 Women’s Six Nations.

Marlie Packer, Captain of England Women lifts the Womens Six Nations Trophy during the TikTok Womens Six Nations Match between England Women and France Women at Twickenham, London on 29 April 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)

They are joined by Women’s Six Nations’ silver and bronze medallists France and Wales, as well as New Zealand, Canada and Australia, who qualified by finishing first, second and third respectively, in the 2023 Pacific Four Series (United States dropped into WXV2). England and Canada share a great rivalry, and last took on one-another in the semi-finals of the 2021 Rugby World Cup (played in 2022). England secured a 26-19 victory in that clash, before succumbing to the Black Ferns of New Zealand in the final.

The Red Roses’ second Rugby World Cup title came at the expense of Canada, as Emily Scarratt kicked England to a 21-9 victory in the 2014 Rugby World Cup Final. Interim Head Coach Louis Deacon has picked the side, whilst the newly appointed John Mitchell is away with the Japan Men’s side, as the Brave Blossoms’ Defence Coach for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

John Mitchell, head coach of England A during England Rugby training session at The Lensbury Hotel, Teddington, London on 24 June 2021. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

Here is the selected England Women’s side that will take on Canada this Saturday at Sandy Park.

ENGLAND WOMEN’S TEAM TO PLAY CANADA

15. Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins)

14. Jess Breach (Saracens)

13. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning)

12. Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury)

11. Abby Dow (Ealing Trailfinders)

10. Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears)

9. Lucy Packer (Harlequins)

1. Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury)

2. Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears)

3. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears)

4. Rosie Galligan (Harlequins)

5. Catherine O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning)

6. Morwenna Talling (Loughborough Lightning)

7. Marlie Packer (captain) (Saracens)

8. Zoe Aldcroft. (Gloucester-Hartpury)

Replacements: 

16. Connie Powell (Gloucester-Hartpury)

17. Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears)

18. Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury)

19. Sarah Beckett (Gloucester-Hartpury)

20. Maisy Allen (Exeter Chiefs)

21. Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury)

22. Megan Jones (Leicester Tigers)

23. Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs)