WXV Preview: Red Roses v Australia

18 Oct 2023 | 5 min |

Everything you need to know ahead of the Red Roses' WXV opener against the Wallaroos at Sky Stadium, Wellington.

Louis Deacon's side travelled to New Zealand for the inaugural WXV tournament following their two Tests against Canada in September, which they won 50-24 and 29-12 respectively.

When?	Friday 20 October
Where?	Sky Stadium, Wellington
Kick off	07:00 BST
Where can I watch?	ITVX

They kick off their campaign against the Wallaroos, before heading to Dunedin to face Canada at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Their final test will be a meeting with the Black Ferns in Auckland's Mount Smart Stadium.

Get to know the Red Roses squad

Marlie Packer captains the Red Roses, while Maisy Allen earns her second start in an England shirt on the opposite flank and Alex Matthews comes into the side at No.8.

Familiar faces in Hannah Botterman, Connie Powell and Maud Muir make up the front row, while Rosie Galligan and Zoe Aldcroft pack down in the second row.

In the backs, Saracens' Ella Wyrwas earns her first international start at scrum half, with Holly Aitchison outside her at 10. Tatyana Heard and Megan Jones are the centre pairing, while Abby Dow (left wing), Jess Breach (right wing) and Helena Rowland (full back) complete the starting lineup.

BAGSHOT, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Daisy Hibbert-Jones of England during a Red Roses Training Session at Pennyhill Park on September 21, 2023 in Bagshot, England. (Photo by Morgan Harlow - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

Daisy Hibbert-Jones could make her England debut from the bench after she was called up to the 30-player squad. Lark Atkin-Davies, Mackenzie Carson, Kelsey Clifford, Sarah Beckett, Natasha Hunt, Sophie Bridger and Emma Sing are also named as replacements.

VIEWS FROM CAMP

Marlie Packer: "Rolling on from the World Cup and the legacy that left in terms of inspiring future generations to pick up the ball, to then be back here in New Zealand preparing to play some of the best teams in the world, is something that we relish and really look forward to.

"This squad is in a really good place. We've been building and learning and a lot of learning came by playing those two Canada games. This is a tournament on the other side of the world and all of the girls are just excited to play and build on those wins."

BAGSHOT, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Marlie Packer of England gives a team talk during a Red Roses Training Session at Pennyhill Park on September 21, 2023 in Bagshot, England. (Photo by Morgan Harlow - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

"It's a year on from the World Cup and it's a new look squad, so the excitement is really coming through. We've got a potential new cap in Daisy, and with the likes of Maisy and Ella starting it's just really exciting for this group."

Louis Deacon: "This is a new journey for the team. It's a new coaching group and a new player group also. We've changed a lot in terms of how we do what we do and the way we try to play the game. Each new week is a learning week and a week where we're looking to improve and keep getting better.

"It feels different to a Six Nations or a 'normal' campaign. We don't get to play the likes of Australia, Canada or New Zealand often, so to be in a position to play them is a great opportunity and there's no better opposition to test ourselves against."

TEAMS

England

15. Helena Rowland, 14. Abby Dow, 13. Megan Jones, 12. Tatyana Heard, 11. Jessica Breach, 10. Holly Aitchison, 9. Ella Wyrwas, 1. Hannah Botterman, 2. Connie Powell, 3. Maud Muir, 4. Rosie Galligan, 5. Zoe Aldcroft, 6. Maisy Allen, 7. Marlie Packer (C), 8. Alex Matthews

Replacements

16. Lark Atkin-Davies, 17. Mackenzie Carson, 18. Kelsey Clifford, 19. Sarah Beckett, 20. Daisy Hibbert-Jones, 21. Natasha Hunt, 22. Sophie Bridger, 23. Emma Sing

Australia

15. Faitala Moleka, 14. Maya Stewart, 13. Georgina Friedrichs, 12. Arabella McKenzie. 11. Ivania Wong, 10. Carys Dallinger, 9. Layne Morgan, 1. Brianna Hoy, 2. Tania Naden, 3. Eva Karpani, 4. Michaela Leonard, 5. Annabelle Codey, 6. Siokapesi Palu, 7. Emily Chancellor, 8. Kaitlan Leaney.

Replacments

16. Adiana Talakai, 17. Bree-anna Cheatham, 18. Emily Robinson, 19. Atasi Lafai, 20. Ashley Marsters, 21. Sarah Dougherty, 22. Cecilia Smith, 23. Desiree Miller

LAST TIME OUT

When these two teams meet, it will be almost one year since their most recent encounter in the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup, also in New Zealand. Simon Middleton's side faced the Wallaroos in the quarter-final of the tournament after topping their pool with wins against Fiji, France and South Africa.

The Red Roses ran in seven tries at Waitakere Stadium in tricky, wet conditions to secure the 41-5 victory and reach a ninth consecutive Rugby World Cup semi-final.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - OCTOBER 30: Marlie Packer of England scores a try during the Rugby World Cup 2021 New Zealand Quarterfinal match between England and Australia at Waitakere Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Fiona Goodall - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Tries from Sarah Hunter, Abbie Ward, Amy Cokayne, Alex Matthews and a hat-trick for Marlie Packer secured the victory, while Australia's only score was from Emily Chancellor.

Hunter's start in this fixture marked a new England record as she ran out for her 138th international appearance to overtake Rochelle Clarke as England's highest-capped player of all time.