Red Roses team to face South Africa in Auckland
Simon Middleton has named the Red Roses' match day squad to play South Africa in their final Rugby World Cup pool match.
Marlie Packer will lead the team at Waitakere Stadium, her first time captaining the side from open-side flanker, with fly half Zoe Harrison named vice-captain.
- Red Roses v South Africa - Sunday 23 October
- KO 5.45am UK time and live on ITV
- Get the latest Red Roses updates
Hannah Botterman (loose-head prop), Connie Powell (hooker), Maud Muir (tight-head prop) make up a new look starting front row. Poppy Cleall starts at number eight while Morwenna Talling is at blind-side flanker. Rosie Galligan and Cath O’Donnell are the lock pairing.
Harlequins’ Lucy Packer starts at scrum half with Sarah McKenna (full back), Abby Dow (right wing) and Jess Breach (left wing) forming the back three. Tatyana Heard (inside centre) and Holly Aitchison (outside centre) are also selected.
Emily Scarratt is named among the finishers alongside Amy Cokayne, Vickii Cornborough, Sarah Bern, Zoe Aldcroft, Sadia Kabeya, Helena Rowland and Leanne Infante.
"We’re really looking forward to our final pool match at a new stadium on Sunday," said Middleton. "The game against South Africa is an extremely important fixture as it dictates our passage and route in the quarter-finals.
"It is also the first time the majority of our starting XV start a World Cup match which is something to be celebrated for each individual and collectively. We’re all really excited to see how they go.
"South Africa have shown they’re a strong side in their first two matches against France and Fiji and we expect this weekend’s fixture to be no different. They’re developing well and that’s testament to their programme and the work of Lynne Cantwell (high performance manager), Stanley Raubenheimer (head coach) and their staff.
"Marlie Packer is a world class player, an extremely popular member of the group, supportive on and off the field and plays a huge role in driving the team. I know the whole player and staff group are delighted she’s leading the side this week and she is immensely proud too."
Squad
Red Roses
15. Sarah McKenna
14. Abby Dow
13. Holly Aitchison
12. Tatyana Heard
11. Jess Breach
10. Zoe Harrison
9. Lucy Packer
1. Hannah Botterman
2. Connie Powell
3. Maud Muir
4. Rosie Galligan
5. Cath O'Donnell
6. Morwenna Talling
7. Marlie Packer (C)
8. Poppy Cleall
Finishers
16. Amy Cokayne
17. Vickii Cornborough
18. Sarah Bern
19. Zoe Aldcroft
20. Sadia Kabeya
21. Leanne Infante
22. Emily Scarratt
23. Helena Rowland
