England name unchanged team for World Cup final

Red Roses head coach John Mitchell has named an unchanged 23 for Saturday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup final against Canada (KO 4pm).

It means World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year nominee Megan Jones and six-try wing Jess Breach have been named in the starting XV for every match of the tournament.

Ellie Kildunne continues at full-back after earning player-of-the-match on her return to the team with two tries in the semi-final, while Abby Dow completes the back three on the right wing.

Tatyana Heard lines-up up at inside centre with Natasha Hunt and Zoe Harrison partnering in the half-back positions.

Captain Zoe Aldcroft takes to the field from blindside flanker accompanied in the back row by 2014 winner Alex Matthews and the tournament’s top tackler, Sadia Kabeya (89).

Lock Morwenna Talling, who is second on England’s tackle stats (67), partners number one line-out stealer Abbie Ward in the second row.

Loosehead prop Hannah Botterman made three turnovers against France and remains in the front row alongside hooker Amy Cokayne and tighthead prop Maud Muir.

Mitchell said: “Our staff and players have worked hard to reach this stage of the tournament.

“Playing a World Cup final at Allianz Stadium in front of a record 82,000 is a significant milestone for the sport.

“We are well prepared for the challenge against Canada. It is number one versus number two in the world, and we know the contest will demand a full 80 minutes. Our focus remains on staying in our process and executing effectively.”

Red Roses team to play Canada 

15 Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 56 caps) 

14 Abby Dow (Unattached, 58 caps)  

13 Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women, 32 caps)  

12 Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 35 caps)  

11 Jess Breach (Saracens, 52 caps)  

10 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 64 caps)

9 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 86 caps)  

1 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 61 caps) 

2 Amy Cokayne (Sale Sharks, 88 caps)  

3 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 47 caps)  

4 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 27 caps)  

5 Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 80 caps)  

6 Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 68 caps) - captain  

7 Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 27 caps)  

8 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 80 caps)  

Replacements

16 Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 73 caps)  

17 Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 20 caps)  

18 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 78 caps)  

19 Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 30 caps)  

20 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 22 caps)  

21 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 38 caps)  

22 Holly Aitchison (Sale Sharks, 43 caps)  

23 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 45 caps)