Captain Zoe Aldcroft returns to bolster Red Roses against Scotland

England captain Zoe Aldcroft has returned to the Red Roses back row for their Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 quarter-final against Scotland on Sunday.

Aldcroft was forced off in England’s opening night 69-7 victory against USA in Sunderland and subsequently sat out the Pool A defeats of Samoa and Australia.

But John Mitchell has named his fit-again captain at blindside flanker for the last eight clash at Ashton Gate, with Morwenna Talling returning to the second row and Abbie Ward dropping to the bench as a result.

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Kelsey Clifford is the only other player to come into the pack, at loosehead prop while Holly Aitchison is set to make her first start of the World Cup and Helena Rowland replaces Ellie Kildunne at full-back.

Kildunne required an HIA during the second half of England’s win against Australia in Brighton last weekend and Rowland has been given the nod ahead of Emma Sing, who is named among the replacements.

Red Roses coach Mitchell said: “The first stage of the tournament is behind us, and now we enter a new stage of the competition that has an end point.

“We are adapting well to different situations, and while we recognise Scotland have improved, we will still believe we can build pressure on them. This is an exciting challenge that we’re ready for.

Fixture

Women's Rugby World Cup

England Women

40 - 8

Full-time

Scotland Women

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“We trust our girls to be consistent, take ownership of their roles, embrace the occasion, and earn the right to another week in this competition.

“The enthusiasm surrounding the tournament has been incredible, with support growing across the country. We know Bristol will be no different, and the girls are relishing the opportunity to rise to the occasion.”

England team to play Scotland:
15 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 43 caps)
14 Abby Dow (Unattached, 56 caps)
13 Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women, 30 caps)
12 Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 33 caps)
11  Jess Breach (Saracens, 50 caps)
10 Holly Aitchison (Sale Sharks, 41 caps)
9 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 85 caps)
1 Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 18 caps)
2 Amy Cokayne (Sale Sharks, 86 caps)
3 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 45 caps)
4 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 25 caps)
5 Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 28 caps)
6 Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 66 caps) – captain
7 Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 25 caps)
8 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 78 caps)

Replacements
16 Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 71 caps)
17 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 22 caps)
18 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 76 caps)
19 Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 78 caps)
20 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 20 caps)
21 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 36 caps)
22 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 62 caps)
23 Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 12 caps)