Burton makes first England start – three years after coma

England vs. Spain warm-up for the Rugby World Cup

Location: Mattioli Woods Welford Road, Saturday, August 2nd Kick-off: 00 BST

With a warm-up match against Spain on Saturday, Flanker Abi Burton makes her first Test debut for England as they begin their bid for a home women’s rugby title.

After more than three weeks in an induced coma as a result of her treatment for autoimmune encephalitis in 2022, the 25-year-old has fought her way back to the top.

In this year’s Six Nations campaign, the former Sevens player made just one save appearance for the Red Roses.

England makes 10 changes to the starting lineup that defeated France in their Grand Slam decider in April, with the rest of the stars making their first appearance.

Both second row Lilli Ives Campion and inside center Jade Shekells are given the opportunity to stake their claims, while Lucy Packer will start at scrum-half alongside Natasha Hunt on the bench.

Helena Rowland, who has previously played the role from the bench, makes her debut on the wing. Emma Sing continues at full-back while Jessica Breach is on the other.

The replacements include Abby Down, Holly Aitchison, Sadia Kabeya, and Zoe Aldcroft.

The first of two World Cup warm-up matches is between England and Spain, which is ranked 13th in the world.

Next weekend in Mont-de-Marsan, when Mitchell is likely to field a team of the same caliber as them, they will also take on France.

The depth of England’s offensive might be a key component of their campaign, with players developed in the nation’s elite PWR competition.

In Sunderland on August 22 for the first time, they will face the United States.

England: Sing, Rowland, Jones, Shekells, Breach, Harrison, L. Packer, Clifford, Bern, Galligan, Campion, Burton, M. Packer (capt.) Feaunati.