Daughter of Bath cult hero to make starting debut for England

Maddi Feaunati is set to make her England starting debut at Kingsholm on Saturday as they take on rivals France, in the first of their September internationals.

Having already made her debut earlier in the year during the 2024 Six Nations campaign, Feaunati will be well-acclimatised to the intensity of international test rugby. Already a firm starter at club level with Exeter Chiefs, Feaunati will hope to secure her spot in the England First XV more permanently.

Having had her spot granted through the unfortunate ankle injury of Sadia Kabeya, Feaunati will be looking to make quite the impact on Saturday. Speaking to RugbyPass recently, the 22-year-old said she will be “believing in and backing my ability” ahead of the upcoming matches.

England’s head coach John Mitchell recently told BBC Sport that Maddie has an opportunity to “stake a place” in the starting team.

“Maddie came off the bench and played some good cameo roles during the Six Nations,” Mitchell said.

“Now it is her time to stand up as a starter. I am sure there will be some nerves, but it is an opportunity for her to stake a place.”

The name Feaunati is not a new one to international rugby. Many slightly older readers will recognise the name of the fantastic former Bath Rugby player, Zak Fe’aunati. Maddie shares much of her father’s talents on the field, providing a powerful presence at the back of the scrum.

Zak, now 51, spent much of his playing career in England, turning out for London Irish, Rotherham and Leeds Tykes before becoming a fan favourite at Bath Rugby.

Having been born in New Zealand, Zak performed for both Wellington and the Crusaders before heading up north to England.

Despite lining up for England this weekend, the country of her birth, Maddie was eligible for New Zealand and Samoa through her family’s heritage.