England W v New Zealand W - teams and prediction
PREVIEW: The 2021 (2) World Cup Finalists are set to face off at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday, September 14.
New Zealand have only won one of the last five encounters between these two sides - and that being the 2021 World Cup Final which took place in 2022 due to the global pandemic.
Following that World Cup triumph, the Red Roses got their revenge in WXV 1 when they defeated the Black Ferns by 33-12.
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Black Ferns head coach Steve Jackson is under no illusion of the task that awaits his side.
"Ever since then, we knew this game could happen, and now it's here. We've built quite heavily towards this game. We are an underdog going into this game, playing them at their home stadium.
"We need to front. They beat us last time, they outpassioned us and wanted it a little bit more than we did."
Jackson also stated that his side also put emphasis on the mental side of the game with mental skills coach Ian Saunders taking the group under his wing.
"It's talking to them about anxiety and how to deal with certain situations during the week, nervous feelings and all that goes along with playing in a huge Test match, whether you think you're up for it.
"As a coaching group and a management group, we have those feelings as well ahead of a game and it's about how you can relax, and relax your mind to switch off from rugby when you need to and switch back in when the time is right."
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In the England camp, Emily Scarratt will make her 100th start for the Red Roses as head coach John Mitchell made a total of five changes to face New Zealand.
Scarratt will be only the third woman's player to start 100 times for her country behind the likes of Sarah Hunter and Rocky Clark.
She's the only change in the backline that started in the 38-19 win against France last weekend.
In the forwards Abbie Ward makes a comeback at lock with changes in the front row as well which sees Mackenzie Carson, Lark Atkin-Davies and Sarah Bern getting a starting opportunity.
There's also a possible debut off the bench for Georgia Brock.
“Our focus is to always stay focused on the main thing in our processes and how we are going to play against New Zealand,” Mitchell said.
“Every occasion at Twickenham Stadium is really important to us and we know we will have to earn the right to contest a Final here in 2025. We want to play here on a consistent basis and every time we go out and play here, we want to perform. We want to do it for the girls.”
Prediction:
@rugby365com: England by 8
Teams:
England: 15 Ellie Kildunne, 14 Abby Dow, 13 Emily Scarratt, 12 Tatyana Heard, 11 Jess Breach, 10 Holly Atchison, 9 Natasha Hunt, 8 Alex Matthews, 7 Marlie Packer, 6 Maddie Feaunati, 5 Abbie Ward, 4 Zoe Aldcroft, 3 Sarah Bern, 2 Lark Atkin-Davies, 1 Mackenzie Carson.
Replacements: 16 Amy Cockayne, 17 Hannah Botterman, 18 Maud Muir, 19 Morwenna Talling, 20 Georgia Brock, 21 Lucy Parker, 22 Zoe Harrison, 23 Helena Rowland.
New Zealand: 15 Renee Holmes, 14 Ayesha Leti-l'iga, 13 Sylvia Brunt, 12 Ruahei Demant (co-captain), 11 Katelyn Vahaakolo, 10 Hannah King, 9 Maia Joseph, 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 7 Kennedy Tukuafu (co-captain), 6 Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, 5 Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 4 Alana Bremner, 3 Tanya Kalounivale, 2 Georgia Ponsonby, 1 Chryss Viliko
Replacements: 16 Atlanta Lolohea, 17 Kate Henwood, 18 Amy Rule, 19 Maama Mo' onia Vaipulu, 20 Layla Sae, 21 Iritana Hohaia, 22 Amy du Plessis, 23 Ruby Tui.
Date: Saturday, September 14
Venue: Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham
Kick-off: 14.30 BST (1.30 NZT, Sunday September 15)
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Aurélie Groizeleau (France), Chelsea Gillespie (Scotland)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)