The legendary Emily Scarratt, fondly known as Scaz, is back in the England starting team to face their arch-rivals, the Black Ferns.
The 34-year-old will make her 100th test start at the Allianz Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.
Having replaced Helena Rowland, Red Roses coach John Mitchell told reporters, “Everything was planned”, before continuing: “We’ve got two world-class 13s, so Helena got a start last week and Emily’s getting the start this week.
“I’m expecting [Scarratt] to play really well on the weekend and expecting to see her experience certainly show.”
Mitchell turning to focus on the game, continued: “Our focus is to always stay focused on the main thing in our processes and how we are going to play against New Zealand,
“Every occasion at Allianz 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.”
Red Roses team to play New Zealand
15 Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 44 caps)
14 Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women, 46 caps)
13 Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 112 caps)
12 Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 23 caps)
11 Jess Breach (Saracens, 39 caps)
10 Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 31 caps)
9 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 73 caps)
1 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 16 caps)
2 Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 58 caps)
3 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 62 caps)
4 Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 54 caps)
5 Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 65 caps)
6 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 6 caps)
7 Marlie Packer (Saracens, 105 caps) – captain
8 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 68 caps)
Here is what both sets of players had to say ahead of the upcoming clash:
Red Roses
Amy Cokayne: “We haven’t played New Zealand on home soil very often so it’s always a huge battle, and to be able to play that kind of fixture at such an amazing stadium, I think both teams will be looking forward to it.
“I love playing against New Zealand, it’s definitely one of those games that no one needs any external motivation to get up for.”
Natasha Hunt: “New Zealand are historically a very big forward pack, they love the attritional ‘tuck it up the jumper and run over you’, but have also got silky skills out in the backs.
“In the World Cup final they had the nod and then we went over there and beat them in WXV on their own turf, so it’s going to be a feisty one I imagine.
“I’m really excited that we get the opportunity to run out at Allianz Stadium – to bring that level of game to London and to be able to do it in our home stadium is pretty epic.”
Black Ferns
Ruby Tui: “It’s world champions versus world number one,” Tui told BBC Sport. “My mouth is watering.
“I’ve got to admit the Red Roses are a very special team. They have carried a lot of tradition with them,
“In order to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best. Let’s go play England, let’s go over to the northern side of the world in their home and let’s give it a crack, let’s have some fun, let’s get out there. I want to play tomorrow.”
“It’s going to be epic,” she added. “I just hope we all take this opportunity with two hands.
“It was amazing what happened in New Zealand, but we’re taking it back to where rugby began so let’s do it, let’s put on an awesome show.”
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