Mitchell makes three pack changes as Red Roses host Black Ferns at sold-out Allianz Stadium

England head coach John Mitchell has named three changes to his starting pack for the Red Roses’ WXV Global Series fixture against the Black Ferns at Allianz Stadium, with more than 50,000 tickets already sold for the occasion.

Props Mackenzie Carson and Sarah Bern come into the front row alongside hooker Bryony Field, who earns her second consecutive Test start. Lilli Ives Campion and Morwenna Talling are paired in the second row, while Maddie Feaunati returns to the starting XV at No. 8 after impressing from the bench in last week’s 26-26 draw with Canada. Her inclusion shifts Alex Matthews to blindside flanker, with Sadia Kabeya retaining the openside berth.

The backline is unchanged from that Canada stalemate. Lucy Packer and Zoe Harrison continue at half-back, Helena Rowland and Megan Jones remain in the centres, and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, Jess Breach and Ellie Kildunne keep their places in the back three.

Among the replacements, last week’s starting props Hannah Botterman and Maud Muir drop to the bench alongside May Campbell. Abi Burton replaces Delaney Burns as the lock cover, while Marlie Packer is named among the replacements 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 win over the Wallaroos in Manchester, and Emma Sing earns her first squad inclusion of the autumn.

The match falls one day before the first anniversary of England’s Women’s Rugby World Cup triumph, adding further significance to the occasion.

Mitchell 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.”