Red Roses name unchanged XV for World Cup opener against USA

The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup has finally arrived with the Red Roses set to take on USA at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light in the tournament opener. 

Head coach John Mitchell has made no changes to his starting 15 that defeated France 40-6 in their second warm-up match ahead of the competition. 

It means captain Zoe Aldcroft leads from blindside flanker in a back row containing Alex Matthews at Number 8 and openside Sadia Kabeya. 

Abbie Ward starts alongside Morwenna Talling in the second row with Hannah Botterman, Amy Cokayne and Maud Muir combining in the front row. 

Vice-captain Megan Jones’ blossoming relationship with Tatyana Heard in the centre continues while Jess Breach, Abby Dow and Ellie Kildunne link-up in the back three. Half-backs Natasha Hunt and Zoe Harrison complete the starting XV. 

Among the replacements, Emily Scarratt is set to appear in her fifth Rugby World Cup having debuted the last time England hosted the tournament in 2010. 

Kelsey Clifford, Maddie Feaunati and Emma Sing will make their World Cup debuts from the bench. 

A record crowd for a Women’s Rugby World Cup opening match is expected with over 40,000 tickets sold. 

“We have been building nicely into the tournament and now we’re excited to get our campaign underway,” Mitchell said. 

“Sunderland have been a great host city thus far and we know it’ll be a record crowd for a Women’s Rugby World Cup opening match which shows the appetite for rugby in this region and for the competition ahead. 

“We want to embrace the occasion whilst understanding we have to remain where our feet are and earn the right to progress through the pool stage.” 

Red Roses team to play USA 

15 Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 53 caps)  

14 Abby Dow (Unattached, 54 caps)  

13 Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women, 27 caps)  

12 Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 31 caps)  

11 Jess Breach (Saracens, 47 caps)  

10 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 59 caps)  

9 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 82 caps)  

1 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 58 caps)  

2 Amy Cokayne (Sale Sharks, 84 caps)  

3 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 42 caps)  

4 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 23 caps)  

5 Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 76 caps)  

6 Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 65 caps) - captain  

7 Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 23 caps)  

8 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 76 caps)  

Replacements  

16 Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 68 caps)  

17 Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 15 caps)  

18 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 73 caps)  

19 Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 25 caps)  

20 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 17 caps)  

21 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 33 caps)  

22 Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 118 caps)  

23 Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 10 caps)