England coach John Mitchell named an unchanged team on Wednesday from their final warm-up game for their Women's Rugby World Cup opener against the United States in Sunderland on Friday.
The starting 15 overwhelmed France 40-6, their second of two warm-up fixtures which took place earlier this month.
It's getting close now! ⏳
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) August 15, 2025
This time next week, England v USA. Stadium of Light, Sunderland. #RWC2025 Let's do this! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/xFLhFiofCv
Zoe Aldcroft continues to captain the team from blindside flanker, with No 8 Alex Matthews and openside Sadia Kabeya alongside her in the back row and Abbie Ward and Morwenna Talling the starting locks.
The pack is completed by a powerful front row of Hannah Botterman, Amy Cokayne and Maud Muir.
Behind the scrum, half-backs Natasha Hunt and Zoe Harrison will look to dictate play, with Meg Jones and Tatyana Heard in the centres.
Jess Breach and Abby Dow line-up on the wings, with full-back Ellie Kildunne, the reigning women's World Rugby player of the year, looking to add an exceptional tally of 41 tries in 53 tests a member of a dynamic back three.
Here we go 🌹
— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) August 20, 2025
John Mitchell has named his Red Roses to face the USA in our #RWC2025 opener 👇#WearTheRose | #RedRoses
Tournament debutants Kelsey Clifford, Maddie Feaunati and Emma Sing are named as replacements, with veteran Emily Scarratt also on the bench ahead of what could be her 119th cap.
But there is no place in the matchday 23 for former captain Marlie Packer.
Host nation England head into the event as favourites, having lost only once in their past 58 matches – a defeat by New Zealand in the Covid-delayed 2022 World Cup final.
England in spite of winning six successive Six Nations Grand Slams have also lost five of the last six World Cup finals to New Zealand.
The United States are due to name their side later on Wednesday.
England team (15-1)
Ellie Kildunne; Abby Dow, Megan Jones, Tatyana Heard, Jess Breach; Zoe Harrison, Natasha Hunt; Alex Matthews, Sadia Kabeya, Zoe Aldcroft (capt); Abbie Ward, Morwenna Talling; Maud Muir, Amy Cokayne, Hannah Botterman
Replacements: Lark Atkin-Davies, Kelsey Clifford, Sarah Bern, Rosie Galligan, Maddie Feaunati, Lucy Packer, Emily Scarratt, Emma Sing
Coach: John Mitchell (NZL)