1 month ago
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WXV: New Zealand v England
Venue: Langley Event Centre, Canada Date: Sunday, 6 October Kick-off: 21:00 BST
Coverage: Live on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app
England have recalled Holly Aitchison at fly-half for their WXV meeting with world champions New Zealand on Sunday.
She played in England's two warm-up wins for the tournament, but Zoe Harrison was preferred for last weekend's victory over the United States.
Aitchison is part of an experienced backline with Tatyana Heard and Helena Rowland in midfield and Jess Breach, Abby Dow and full-back Ellie Kildunne forming the back three.
Morwenna Talling, who can also play at second row, keeps her place at blindside flanker with Maddie Feaunati on bench.
Prop Hannah Botterman, one of 10 changes to the starting line-up, wins her 50th cap in the front row.
England won 2023's inaugural WXV title with victory over New Zealand, as well as their most recent meeting with the Black Ferns, 24-12 at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium last month.
However, New Zealand are the last team to beat the Red Roses, with a dramatic comeback win in the Rugby World Cup final in 2022.
England: Kildunne; Dow, Rowland, Heard, Breach; Aitchison, Hunt; Botterman, Cokayne, Muir, Aldcroft, Ward, Talling, M Packer, Matthews.
Replacements: Atkin-Davies, Carson, Bern, Galligan, Feaunati, L Packer, Harrison, Scarratt.
