Ives Campion to make England debut against France

England Under-20 captain, Lilli Ives Campion is due to earn her first England cap when the Red Roses take on France at Gloucester’s Kingsholm Stadium on Saturday 7th September (KO 2.30pm).

Maddie Feaunati will earn her first international start when the Red Roses take after making five appearances in the 2024 Guinness Women’s Six Nations, including the Grand Slam-winning encounter against the French back in April.

Of the 15 that started that day in Bordeaux, Head Coach John Mitchell has selected 13 in starting positions once again. Injured duo Sadia Kabeya and Megan Jones have been replaced by Feaunati and Helena Rowland.

Hannah Botterman, Amy Cokayne and Maud Muir continue in the front row, supported by locks Zoe Aldcroft and Morwenna Talling. Marlie Packer captains from openside flanker with Alex Matthews completing the pack at Number 8.

Half-backs Natasha Hunt and Holly Aitchison pair up once more and Rowland joins Tatyana Heard in the centres. The exciting back three of Ellie Kildunne, Abby Dow and Jess Breach link up again following a combined 18 tries in their last five matches as a trio.

How about this finish from Abby Dow? 🤩

Moving the ball well in training ahead of #ENGvFRA 😮‍💨@o2uk | #WearTheRose pic.twitter.com/KCF7gd96Vq

— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) September 4, 2024

Replacement Sarah Bern returns to the international fold after missing the Six Nations due to injury. Her last appearance was a player-of-the-match display against New Zealand in WXV 1 in November 2024.

“We’re excited to get started after the girls being outstanding in raising their standards and growing their resilience in pre-season,” head coach Mitchell said.

“The girls just want to play, and we have chosen to host world class opponents for us to be challenged and to improve our game heading into WXV and an exciting 2025.”

On playing in Gloucester, he added: “It’s a place that smells of rugby and has a real rugby community.

“I have fond memories of playing for the All Blacks at Kingsholm and winning my first game as Sale coach there. It’s a special place and this weekend the girls have an opportunity to make their own memories together.”

Red Roses team to play France

15 Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 43 caps)

14 Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women, 45 caps)

13 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 29 caps)

12 Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 22 caps)

11 Jess Breach (Saracens, 38 caps)

10 Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 30 caps)

9 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 72 caps)

1 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 47 caps)

2 Amy Cokayne (Leicester Tigers, 74 caps)

3 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 30 caps)

4 Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 53 caps)

5 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 13 caps)

6 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 5 caps)

7 Marlie Packer (Saracens, 104 caps) – captain

8 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 67 caps)

Replacements

16 Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 57 caps)

17 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 15 caps)

18 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 61 caps)

19 Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning, uncapped)

20 Poppy Cleall (Saracens, 65 caps)

21 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 21 caps)

22 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 49 caps)

23 Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 111 caps)