| Venue: Ashton Gate, Bristol Date: 14 September Kick-off: 19:30 BST |
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England head coach Simon Middleton has made 12 modifications for Wednesday’s Check in opposition to Wales in Bristol, their closing recreation earlier than World Cup choice.
Scrum-half Lucy Packer will make her second begin able Middleton says is considered one of his “hardest calls”.
Alex Matthews and Marlie Packer return in an equally aggressive again row.
Middleton will identify his World Cup squad on 20 September, with England’s opening recreation in opposition to Fiji on 8 October in Auckland, New Zealand.
The Rugby Soccer Union continues to be finalising particulars of tributes to Queen Elizabeth II, with England captain Sarah Hunter describing the monarch as “an inspirational chief and a feminine chief at that”.
Wales are anticipated to call their facet on Tuesday.
In the event that they beat Wales, England will grow to be the primary workforce to win 25 Checks in a row, with their most up-to-date defeat coming in opposition to New Zealand in 2019.
‘Massive calls’ to be made
With such a big squad choice so shut, there can be as a lot concentrate on particular person performances because the end result.
Middleton confirmed he’ll take three scrum-halves in his 32-player World Cup squad.
Packer is competing with Natasha Hunt, Leanne Infante and the returning Claudia MacDonald, who may play on the wing.
Middleton says quantity 12 and the again row are two different areas the place he must make “massive calls” after the Wales recreation.
Helena Rowland, who is predicted to supply cowl for fly-half Zoe Harrison in New Zealand, is at inside centre on Wednesday after Tatyana Heard impressed on her England return within the 52-14 win over the USA final week.
Within the again row, Matthews and Marlie Packer begin at flanker as captain Hunter returns at quantity eight.
Sadia Kabeya’s efficiency in opposition to the US makes Middleton’s choices in that space even more durable, with World Participant of the Yr Zoe Aldcroft and Poppy Cleall additionally within the combine.
Lydia Thompson and Sarah McKenna begin on the wings, whereas props Hannah Botterman and Sarah Bern be part of Lark Davies in an all-new entrance row.
Aldcroft strikes from flanker to the second row, the place she is joined by Abbie Ward.
Middleton says competitors for locations has been mirrored in coaching classes which have been “one thing to behold”.
“What’s taking place in the meanwhile with this group is fairly extraordinary,” he mentioned of their profitable run.
“It is a very tough squad to get into.”
England workforce to face Wales: Kildunne; Thompson, Scarratt, Rowland, McKenna; Harrison, L Packer; Cornborough, Davies, Bern, Aldcroft, Ward, Matthews, M Packer, Hunter (capt).
Replacements: Cokayne, Botterman, Muir, Talling, P Cleall, MacDonald, Reed, Aitchison.
