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England name team for World Cup opener against Fiji

05 Oct 2022

Sarah Hunter of England poses for pictures with the Rugby World Cup trophy at an event of Rugby World Cup 2021 Captain's Photocall in Auckland on October 2, 2022. (Photo by Ivan Tarlton / AFP) (Photo by IVAN TARLTON/AFP via Getty Images)

Head coach Simon Middleton has named his matchday squad to play Fiji in their opening Pool C Rugby World Cup match at Eden Park on Saturday (8 October), kick-off 4.45pm New Zealand time/4.45am UK time and live on ITV.

Sarah Hunter captains the side at No 8 and outside centre Emily Scarratt is vice-captain.

Abby Dow is among the finishers and could make her first appearance since suffering a broken leg against Wales in the 2022 TikTok Women’s Six Nations in April.

Loughborough Lightning’s Sadia Kabeya starts at open-side flanker with Alex Matthews at blind-side flanker.

Saracens’ Leanne Infante starts at scrum half while Zoe Harrison and Helena Rowland form the 10-12 axis.

Vickii Cornborough (loose-head prop), Amy Cokayne (hooker) and Sarah Bern (tight-head prop) make up the front row.

A back three of Ellie Kildunne (full back), Lydia Thompson (right wing) and Claudia MacDonald (left wing) are selected.

Zoe Aldcroft and Abbie Ward are the lock pairing while Connie Powell, Hannah Botterman, Maud Muir, Cath O’Donnell, Poppy Cleall, Lucy Packer and Holly Aitchison are the rest of the finishers.

Middleton said: “We’ve received a brilliant welcome in New Zealand and the welcome ceremony on Monday was a spectacular occasion. There was incredible energy and enthusiasm in the room and it was an event we will all remember.

“We’ve selected an experienced matchday 23 who we feel are in a good position to get our campaign off to a strong start. We know we could have selected any of the wider squad and there are nine players this week with a key supporting role.

“It’s a privilege to come up against a team in their first-ever World Cup match. We know they have talented players and we’re looking forward to the challenge. It’s great to hear over 30,000 tickets have been sold for the opening day too.

“I’m really pleased with the group effort in training and we can’t wait to get started at an iconic venue in Eden Park on Saturday.”

England matchday squad to play Fiji:

15. Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 25 caps)
14. Lydia Thompson (University of Worcester Warriors, 54 caps)
13. Emily Scarratt (VC; Loughborough Lightning, 103 caps)
12. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 17 caps)
11. Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 20 caps)
10. Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 40 caps)
9. Leanne Infante (Saracens, 52 caps)

1. Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins, 70 caps)
2. Amy Cokayne (Harlequins, 64 caps)
3. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 46 caps)
4. Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 32 caps)
5. Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 56 caps)
6. Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 51 caps)
7. Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 4 caps)
8. Sarah Hunter (C; Loughborough Lightning, 135 caps)

Finishers
16. Connie Powell (Gloucester-Hartpury, 5 caps)
17. Hannah Botterman (Saracens, 30 caps)
18. Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 11 caps)
19. Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 20 caps)
20. Poppy Cleall (Saracens, 57 caps)
21. Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 5 caps)
22. Holly Aitchison (Saracens, 10 caps)
23. Abby Dow (Wasps, 24 caps)

-Press Release/RFU

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 12 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 12 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 12 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 12 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 12 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 12 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍