Red Roses v Black Ferns: Emily Scarratt to make her 100th start

Emily Scarratt will make her 100th start for the Red Roses on Saturday as head coach John Mitchell makes five changes to his starting XV to face New Zealand - the first match at the newly-named Allianz Stadium.

The centre becomes the third England women’s player to achieve a century of starts for her country, following in the footsteps of Sarah Hunter and Rocky Clark.

She is the only difference in the backline that began last weekend’s 38-19 victory over France.

In the pack, Abbie Ward returns to the side in the second row, whilst there are planned changes to the front row. Mackenzie Carson, Lark Atkin-Davies and Sarah Bern all come in to start.

On the bench, Gloucester-Hartpury back row Georgia Brock is in line for her maiden cap.

“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 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.”

TEAM'S UP 📋

Here's your Red Roses side to face the @BlackFerns at the @allianz_stad on Saturday, with @EmilyScarratt set to make her 💯th start for England 🌹@O2 | #WearTheRose

— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) September 12, 2024

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)

Replacements

16 Amy Cokayne (Leicester Tigers, 75 caps)

17 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 48 caps)

18 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 31 caps)

19 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 14 caps)

20 Georgia Brock (Gloucester-Hartpury, uncapped)

21 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 22 caps)

22 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 50 caps)

23 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 30 caps)