Red Roses make nine changes for huge Canada WXV clash

John Mitchell has made a whopping nine changes to his Red Roses team ahead of their clash with Canada this weekend in Exeter.

The WXV Global Series fixture is a repeat of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 final and will be the first of three matches contested between the two nations over the next five weeks.

Just a week ago, England struggled in the first- half against Australia’s Wallaroos at CorpAcq Stadium, where the visitors led 10-5 at the break, before winning the fixture 48-15 with seven second-half tries.

Changes include an all-new front-row, with Hannah Botterman, Bryony Field and Maud Muir all handed starting roles after their supporting acts a week ago in Salford.

Morwenna Talling receives a starting role in the second row, where she will partner Lilli Ives Campion, while vice-captain Alex Matthews is named at No.8. Maddie Feaunati joins the replacements.

In the backs, Jess Breach is named as the starting wing, Helena Rowland is preferred to Tatyana Heard at inside centre, Zoe Harrison is given the keys at fly-half and Lucy Packer is named starting scrum half. Natasha Hunt is not included in the match day 23.

Mitchell has named a 6-2 split on the bench. After starting a week ago, May Campbell, Mackenzie Carson, Sarah Bern, Delaney Burns, Maddie Feaunati and Holly Aitchison will all have supporting roles. Marlie Packer and Flo Robinson complete the bench.

John Mitchell, Red Roses head coach, said: “This is the first Test of an exciting three-Test series between the number one and number three teams in the world.

“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.”

2026 WXV Global Series | Red Roses match day 23 v 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)