Robinson earns first Red Roses start as England rotate six for USA finale

Flo Robinson will start for England for the first time when the Red Roses take on the USA Women’s Eagles at Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey on Friday 30 October, with head coach John Mitchell naming six changes to his starting XV for the final WXV Global Series fixture.

The Exeter Chiefs scrum-half, who earned her first cap during the 2025 Guinness Women’s Six Nations and has seven caps to her name, impressed off the bench against Canada last week and is rewarded with a place in the starting line-up. She will form the half-back partnership with Sale Sharks fly-half Holly Aitchison, who brings 51 caps of experience to the role.

In the backline, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald returns to the wing alongside Mia Venner and Emma Sing, while Tatyana Heard comes in at inside centre to partner captain Meg Jones at outside centre.

The front row sees Gloucester-Hartpury duo Mackenzie Carson and Maud Muir introduced, with vice captain Amy Cokayne — closing in on a century of caps at 96 — retained at hooker. Morwenna Talling and Lilli Ives Campion continue in the second row, and the back row is unchanged with Abi Burton, Sadia Kabeya and Maddie Feaunati.

The bench carries considerable experience, with Hannah Botterman (67 caps), Sarah Bern (89 caps), Alex Matthews (86 caps) and Natasha Hunt (92 caps) among the replacements.

Mitchell framed the selection as a deliberate effort to build squad depth ahead of a six-month gap before England’s next Test. “Our intent is to start this next phase strongly against the USA, with six months until our next Test in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations,” he said. “We’re rotating some positions this week to refresh the group, create opportunities and continue building our depth.”

The head coach was clear that standards remain non-negotiable regardless of rotation. “Selection is driven by what the team needs against the USA, the behaviours we value and the performance we’re preparing to deliver. Everyone has a role, and everyone is accountable for our standards.”