Red Roses make trio of changes in the pack for Black Ferns visit to Allianz Stadium

Red Roses boss John Mitchell has made three changes to his starting XV to face the Black Ferns at Allianz Stadium.

The changes include starts for prop duo Mackenzie Carson and Sarah Bern, who join Bryony Field in the front row. Field earns her second consecutive Test start, while Lilli Ives Campion and Morwenna Talling form the second-row partnership.

Maddie Feaunati also returns to the starting line-up after making a strong impact from the bench in England’s 26-26 draw with Canada last week. Her inclusion at No. 8 sees Alex Matthews move to blindside flanker, with Sadia Kabeya completing the back row at openside flanker.

The backline remains unchanged. Lucy Packer and Zoe Harrison are once again paired at half-back, with Helena Rowland and Megan Jones in the centres. Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, Jess Breach and Ellie Kildunne make up the back three.

There are also several changes among the replacements. Starting props from last week, Hannah Botterman and Maud Muir, move to the bench alongside May Campbell as the front-row replacements. Abi Burton replaces Delaney Burns as the lock option, while Marlie Packer is named on the bench for the third time this month.

Natasha Hunt and Tatyana Heard return to the matchday squad for the first time since England’s 48-15 victory over the Wallaroos in Manchester. Emma Sing is also named in the squad for the first time this autumn.

More than 50,000 tickets have already been sold for the WXV Global Series clash, which takes place just one day before the first anniversary of England’s Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 triumph.

John Mitchell, Red Roses head coach, said: “We’re moving forward in the right direction whilst building depth in our cover. Now we look forward to renewing a rivalry with a New Zealand side we haven’t played since 2024.

“They are playing good rugby at the moment and it’s no surprise to see them raise their standards.

“Test matches against the best teams in the world are what we relish and look forward to, especially at Allianz Stadium.”

2026 WXV Global Series | Red Roses matchday squad v New Zealand

15 Ellie Kildunne (Bristol Bears, 64 caps)
14 Jess Breach (Saracens, 58 caps)
13 Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women, 40 caps)
12 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 53 caps)
11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 42 caps)
10 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 72 caps)
9 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 46 caps)
1 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester Hartpury, 30 caps)
2 Bryony Field (Saracens, 2 caps)
3 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 86 caps)
4 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 31 caps)
5 Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning, 10 caps)
6 Alex Matthews (Gloucester Hartpury, 83 caps)
7 Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 34 caps)
8 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 29 caps)

Replacements
16 May Campbell (Saracens, 7 caps)
17 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 64 caps)
18 Maud Muir (Gloucester Hartpury, 55 caps)
19 Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women, 11 caps)
20 Marlie Packer (Harlequins, 118 caps)
21 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester Hartpury, 90 caps)
22 Tatyana Heard (Sale Sharks, 37 caps)
23 Emma Sing (Gloucester Hartpury, 17 caps)