WXV: England v Canada - Red Roses Target Back-To-Back Wins With New Head Coach in Camp

England continue their inaugural WXV campaign this Friday, as they take on Canada in their second of three matches in New Zealand. The Red Roses kicked-off the WXV1 tournament in emphatic style, as they cruised to a 42-7 victory over Australia last Friday.

England captain Marlie Packer led from the front with two tries, as the Red Roses utilised their dominant rolling maul against the Wallaroos. Prop Hannah Botterman, winger Jess Breach, and centre Meg Jones also scored, with scrum-half Ella Wywras crossing over for a try on her first Red Roses start.

Canada also began their WXV1 campaign in fine form, with an impressive 42-22 win over Wales. The North Americans ran roughshod on the Women's Six Nations Bronze Medallists, and returned to winning ways after an underwhelming Summer. England handed Canada back-to-back defeats in August, with the Red Roses first running out a 50-24 win at Exeter's Sandy Park, before following that up with a closer 29-12 triumph at Saracens' StoneX Stadium.

Speaking in the pre-match media, England Captain Marlie Packer identified the strongest areas of Canada's game and spoke on their recent experience with the two Summer test matches.

"I think with Canada, they are a very athletic side, and their set piece is very good. I think for me, personally, the standout player is Sophie de Goede, and she can make anything happen. Vision, the way she plays the game and sees the game is exceptional. So, I think we need to be very aware of (that).

"They've had a lot of time together, obviously, we've had the two preseason friendlies against them. So they've had time together then, in the build up to this tournament, they've come off the back of the Wales game. So it should be a really exciting occasion on Friday and one that we're going to ensure that we turn up and perform."

Canada's captain, Sophie de Goede is a definite all-round threat that the Red Roses need to nullify. The number-eight possess match winning abilities in all aspects of her game, including a sharpshooting boot from the kicking tee. In Canada's opening WXV1 match against Wales, de Goede scored the North American's opening try after just four minutes, and added six out of six conversions as well.

Speaking on her talented opposite number for Friday's match, England back row Alex Matthews highlighted de Geode's skillset. However, the Red Roses number eight recognises that Canada are not a one-player team, with England needing to once again be at the top of their game, if they are to secure a third consecutive win over their opponents.

"She's a lot more skilful than me. I kick with my shin, she's definitely got a great boot on her. Yes, she can do anything she can kick, step, carry, be dominant around that break down. So yeah, I agree with Packer, she's definitely one to watch. But they've got numerous players that are lethal around the breakdown and in that physical contact battle, which is definitely where we're going to have to match up."

Newly appointed Head Coach John Mitchell has come into the Red Roses camp, following the end to his role as Japan Men's Defence Coach for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Mitchell watched on as England ran out a one-sided victory over Australia, and has since been formerly introduced to Marlie Packer's side. Speaking about her first interactions with Mitchell, the Saracen said;

"It was like a rest afternoon bit. So, you could just see, in the facility that we're staying at, our rooms, we're next to our team room. So, I caught him on the path on the way to the team room. He knew my name, we had a bit of a conversation. It wasn't too heavy or anything like that. He just fitted in quite nicely.

"I think the nice bit about it, he introduced himself to all of the girls probably before we got into a meeting, where we did introduce him. He's been really good since he's been there, we've just come together as a leadership group, and talked on how that's all come together. Everyone's been very positive."

The Interim Head Coach Louis Deacon gave his thoughts on Mitchell's first week back in an England environment, since his former role as Assistant Coach to Eddie Jones' England Men's side. Deacon discussed Mitchell's 'observational' role, but how he is also involved in the Red Roses selections.

"To be honest, he's been brilliant, like I said before, he's a massively experienced coach. And we've like really valued his input this week. He's been with us a week now. Yeah, and he's, we're learning all the time. And the, the experience that he's sort of passing on to us coaches has been he's been brilliant we've loved it."

"He's involved. He's the head coach. You know, he's building relationships with the group. So we're still working out people, getting to understand where we are as a group. So that's what I mean about that observation role initially, but he's been very much involved in a lot of things."

Mitchell and Deacon have made nine changes to the Red Roses side that ran out the landslide victory over the Wallaroos last Friday. A re-freshed front row sees Mackenzie Carson, Lark Atkin-Davies and Sarah Bern replace Hannah Botterman, Connie Powell and Maud Muir. Rosie Gilligan comes in for Cath O'Donell in the second row, with Morwenna Talling preferred on the blindside flank over newcomer Maisy Allen.

A shuffled back-line sees Natasha Hunt start at scrum-half over Ella Wywras, with a newly formed midfield partnership seeing Helena Rowland move from fullback to outside centre, to partner up with Amber Reed. The back-three is formed of Claudia MacDonald, Abby Dow and Ellie Kildunne, with Jess Breach dropped to the bench this time around. Canada will likely prove to be a much tougher test than Australia, with some of England's more experienced players returning to the starting line-up.

Deacon discussed these changes, with an experienced selection being a focal point. The Interim Head Coach also mentioned Helena Rowland once again moving position, as the Loughborough Lightning star gets set to run out in the 13 jersey against Canada.

"The pleasing thing is, it that it is a very experienced squad. We've picked, I think it's 785-odd caps. So yeah, experience is always helpful, I suppose when you come against the best teams. Canada poses a lot of problems when we played them in in the summer service. So we're expecting the same again, and I think picking an experienced side is only going to help us."

"Basically, when you've got a squad of 30 players and you've come to the other side of the world, you've got to have players that are adaptable. You know, that first game was about giving people opportunities, and we looked at combinations. And that was one of the combinations that we looked at, with the centres that started, it meant that Helena was going to have to play fullback. But like I say, players need to be first versatile when you've got 30 available."

Bristol Bears centre Amber Reed lines up alongside Rowland in the midfield, after missing out on the opening round match against Australia. Reed is fired up for her first run out in WXV action, and discussed the heavily competitive England midfield, and her hopes to stamp her mark on the 12 jersey.

"I think it's the same for every game. Obviously having the opportunity to pull on the white shirt, I've had an up and down career in terms of injuries. So actually, that makes each one even more special. Because, I get to go out with the girls that I am friends with, work hard with day in, day out, and put a performance in.

"So, definitely that midfield battle, I want to put my hand up, I want to be in line for selection for the Black Ferns game. But I know my job first is to put the team in the right places, and work with the players around me on Friday to get the win. Because ultimately, that's going to put us in good stead to come out on top of WXV."

As Reed mentioned, England take on the Black Ferns in Auckland, the weekend following this Friday's match. It has been reported that the RFU are in talks with bringing the reigning World Champions to Twickenham Stadium, for a stand-alone test match later down the line. Packer highlighted how significant this match would be, with the goal of breaking the Women's rugby attendance record set against France (58,498) in the finale to the 2023 Women's Six Nations.

"Really exciting as a squad to be honest with you. We're a squad that wants to keep breaking world records, and you know, what better place to do it than at Twickenham again against New Zealand. I think another standalone game, obviously, the Ireland one in the (2024) Six nations, but to have New Zealand, that will be a game that we will want to be involved in, and actually keep breaking (attendance) records."

Alex Matthews echoed her captain, with the goal of breaking new ground with getting women's rugby fans through the Twickenham turnstiles. "(It would) Be pretty cool to do do it in front of a home crowd. Definitely, especially if we can aim to top the Six Nations finale last year and keep pushing records, really."

But before England can turn their attention to the Black Ferns, they have to settle their trilogy of matches with Canada. The Red Roses kick off the action in Dunedin, so be sure to set your alarms with a UK start time of 07:00am on Friday morning. All of England and Wales' WXV1 matches will be live-streamed on ITVX.