Matthews to captain England against Australia

Pool A of the Rugby World Cup for women: England v. Australia

Brighton and Hove Albion Stadium Date: Saturday, September 6th, 2017 Kick-off: 17:00 BST

In Zoe Aldcroft’s absence, Gloucester-Hartpury number eight Alex Matthews will lead England against Australia in their final Rugby World Cup pool match on Saturday.

Aldcroft was knocked out for the tournament-opening victory over the United States, but her knee injury kept her out until at least the knockout stages.

Head coach John Mitchell has made 13 changes from the rotated side that defeated Samoa last weekend, giving England a quarter-final spot that is already in doubt.

Claudia Moloney-MacDonald is one of those retained, and Wing Jess Breach is the one who earns her 50th cap.

Morwenna Talling, who is typically a second row, is not a member of the matchday squad, despite the absence of former skipper Marlie Packer.

As long as England doesn’t lose to the Wallaroos, a team they have defeated in all seven of their previous meetings, they will be able to claim a spot in Pool A.

The Red Roses won the most recent game 42-7 in WXV in October 2023, making it the most recent meeting for the two teams.

With a bonus point, Australia would advance to the last eight after drawing 31-31 with the United States in their final game.

If they don’t, they will hope that a stunning Eagles victory over Samoa and a comprehensive victory for England will not erase the 135-point difference between them and the USA.

We want to build on our tournament opening matches and finish the pool stage strong, Mitchell said.

Breach will reach the milestone of 50 caps when she wins her 50th against Australia, adding to her previous tally for England by a hat-trick of tries against Samoa last weekend.

The 27-year-old will undoubtedly receive a warm welcome on the south coast after beginning her career at nearby Pulborough RFC.

The top-tier speed and finishing ability of Breach have always been present. On her first Test debut against Canada in 2017, she scored six tries before adding five more.

However, she only made two appearances in England’s Women’s Six Nations earlier this year, with Moloney-MacDonald and Abby Dow emerging as Mitchell’s preferred wings after returning from a serious hip injury.

England could have used substantial reserves of specialist back row options to fill the void left by Aldcroft.

Talling, who played a role for England last year in WXV in Canada, has been asked to do so.

Maddie Feaunati is kept as an impact option off the bench rather than a starter, keeping her experience aside from Marlie Packer’s.

Matthews has a wealth of leadership experience, including being a veteran of England’s 2014 World Cup victory and twice in the last three years.