England remain without captain Zoe Aldcroft, who is being managed carefully after suffering a knee injury in their opening win over the USA. John Mitchell again rotates heavily, bringing back most of those who started the opener against the USA. Alex Matthews skippers the side from No 8 while Morwenna Talling shifts to the back row in Aldcroft’s absence, with Jess Breach winning her 50th cap on the wing. Playmaker Holly Aitchison is set for her first appearance of the tournament off the bench.
England XV: 1 Hannah Botterman, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Maud Muir; 4 Rosie Galligan, 5 Abbie Ward; 6 Morwenna Talling, 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Alex Matthews (capt..); 9 Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt, 10 Zoe Harrison; 11 Jess Breach, 12 Tatyana Heard, 13 Meg Jones, 14 Abby Dow; 15 Ellie Kildunne.
Replacements: 16 Lark Atkin-Davies, 17 Kelsey Clifford, 18 Sarah Bern, 19 Lilli Ives Campion, 20 Maddie Feaunati; 21 Lucy Packer, 22 Holly Aitchison, 23 Helena Rowland.
Harry Latham-Coyle6 September 2025 16:00
Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 fixtures: Full schedule, results and kick-off times
Need a reminder of every World Cup result so far and the schedule to come at the tournament? We’ve got you covered.
Harry Latham-Coyle6 September 2025 15:50
So with the United States beating Samoa 60-0, Australia can afford a 75-point margin of defeat today – though Jo Yapp and her side were clear this week that their first focus was on victory, and then they will shirt to the wider permutations.
(Ben Whitley/PA Wire)
Harry Latham-Coyle6 September 2025 15:40
Ruthless Red Roses ready to send World Cup message as Australia consider pool permutations
Australia’s position would have been stronger had they managed to secure victory over the USA, but the game in York last weekend ended in a dramatic 31-all draw, which could mean that the second qualifier from Pool A is determined by points difference.
Jo Yapp’s side will be assured of progress if they score four tries, and though they insisted on Tuesday that their approach will not change in pursuit of that goal, the nature of England’s dominance means that victory may quickly be out of reach.
Harry Latham-Coyle6 September 2025 15:30
Samoa dance on the pitch with England after Women’s Rugby World Cup defeat
This, meanwhile, was a truly lovely moment post-match as the England and Samoa players came together to celebrate the encounter.
Samoa dance on the pitch with England after Women’s Rugby World Cup defeat
Harry Latham-Coyle6 September 2025 15:20
We’ll begin the build-up to today’s encounter in a moment, but first a look back on last week. For England, it was the anticipated big win against Samoa, with John Mitchell’s rotation failing to inhibit the Red Roses scoring potential – but the three points scored by the Pacific Islanders were perhaps just as important as the 92 delivered by the hosts.
Harry Latham-Coyle6 September 2025 15:10
Alex Matthews to captain England against Australia as Jess Breach wins 50th cap in Women’s World Cup
2014 World Cup winner Matthews leads the side in the absence of Gloucester-Hartpury teammate Zoe Aldcroft, who is continuing to recover from a knee problem, with Morwenna Talling shifting to the blindside having started the opening game at lock and Rosie Galligan brought in to the second row in the lone change to the starting team against the USA.
Harry Latham-Coyle6 September 2025 15:00
Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of England’s final Women’s Rugby World Cup pool clash with Australia. The Red Roses’ own record winning run is within reach for John Mitchell’s side, who take on the Wallaroos seeking a 30th straight success.
Kick off in Brighton is at 5pm BST.
(Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle6 September 2025 06:53