Aldcroft out for pool stage as Packer leads England

England vs. Samoa Rugby World Cup: Women’s World Cup

Date: Saturday, August 30th, 2018 Kick-off: 17:00 BST

Due to a knee injury, England captain Zoe Aldcroft will miss the remainder of the women’s rugby world cup’s pool stage.

One of 13 changes made by coach John Mitchell for Saturday’s game against Samoa is the 28-year-old who started the Red Roses’ opening victory over the United States.

Since Aldcroft was appointed captain in January, she hasn’t played on matchday 23 since suffering a broken wrist during the USA game.

Marlie Packer, the former captain, replaces Mitchell as skipper of Aldcroft, and Mitchell also chooses to place a number of his regular starters in Northampton.

Packer, the 111-cap flanker, has not played since being sent off in Aldcroft’s side’s emphatic World Cup warm-up victory over Spain, where she once again led the charge in her place.

After two seasons as captain, Aldcroft replaced Packer, who said it was “absolutely honor” to lead your nation at a World Cup.

It was my first time leading my country against South Africa at the World Cup three years ago, and to do it again at a World Cup is very special.

She knows the entire squad supports her and wants her back with us, and we don’t want to rush Zoe [Aldcroft].

Helena Rowland and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, both injured, start at left wing and fly-half, respectively.

While center Emily Scarratt was scheduled to start, but she was turned down for the team due to a shoulder-related nerve issue, Holly Aitchison is still missing as she recovers from an ankle injury.

Rowland did not play fly-half in the Women’s Six Nations game against Italy, which she did in the previous year.

With this selection, Mitchell said, “It has been in our planning to give everyone game time over the first two pool matches,” and we’ve been able to do that.”

Our new team wants to celebrate and improve on our opening performance against the USA.

After two tries against the USA, impressive outside centre Megan Jones and Jess Breach, who is one score away from 50 international tries, keep their place.

In the middlefield, Gloucester-Hartpury’s Jade Shekells takes the place of Emma Sing, who was previously the team’s full-back.

After being named in the starting lineup, Lilli Ives Campion and flanker Abi Burton, who spent 25 days in an induced coma after being diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis, are expected to make their World Cup debuts in the forward position.

Maddie Feaunati, who has played 13 times for her father, ranks eighth in the rankings.

After suffering an injury at this year’s Six Nations, Prop Mackenzie Carson may make her first start on the bench.

Ellie Kildunne, the top female player in the world rugby, is a member of a strong starting lineup that includes Zoe Harrison and Natasha Hunt from the previous week.

Samoa lost their opening game 73-0 to Australia, who are a fully amateur and 15th-ranked nation.

Like Mitchell, head coach Ramsey Tomokino chose to use his team for the first two games.

As two of eight brand-new World Cup debutants, Christabelle and Demielle Onesemo-Tuilaepa take the second row.

Despite the significant changes, England is likely to record a significant scoreline against Samoa given that they played two different teams at this year’s Women’s Six Nations and still managed to win a fourth consecutive Grand Slam.

England won the World Cup by 82-0 over Kazakhstan in 2010, and their 2022 match against Fiji was the only game with the most points in a World Cup game (84).

The Red Roses also recorded the most tries in a World Cup game with a score of 84-19 against Fiji (14).

Campbell, Carson, Muir, Talling, Kabeya, Hunt, Harrison, and Kildunne are the replacements.

Wright-Akeli, Lasini, Pouri-Lane, Makisi, Fiafia, Vatau, Afuie, Aiolupotea, Nonutunu, Aiono, C Onesemo-Tuilaepa, D Onesemo-Tuilaepa, Atonio, Pauaraisa, Foaese, etc.

Clara Munarini (Italy) and Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wales) serve as assistant referees.