Packer captains much-changed England against Samoa

Women’s Rugby World Cup: England v Samoa

Venue: Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton Date: Saturday, 30 August Kick-off: 17:00 BST

England have made 13 changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup game against Samoa in Northampton.

Former captain Marlie Packer takes over as skipper from Zoe Aldcroft as John Mitchell opts to rest his regular starters.

The 111-cap flanker has not played since being sent off in her side’s emphatic World Cup warm-up win over Spain, where she again captained the side in Aldcroft’s absence.

It is the first time since Aldcroft was appointed captain in January that she will be absent from the matchday 23.

Utility back Helena Rowland and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald return from injury to start at fly-half and on the left wing respectively.

Fly-half Holly Aitchison again misses out as she continues to recover from an ankle injury.

Rowland started the opening game of this year’s Women’s Six Nations against Italy at fly-half, but it is not a position she has played regularly.

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

“Our new combination want to make each other proud and build on our performance against USA in our opening match.

“It will be a great atmosphere for them at one of the most traditional rugby grounds in the country. They’re all excited to get out there.”

Jess Breach, who is one score away from 50 international tries, retains her spot after two tries against the USA, as does impressive outside centre Megan Jones.

Jones is joined by Gloucester-Hartpury’s Jade Shekells in the midfield, with Emma Sing named at full-back.

In the forwards, lock Lilli Ives Campion and flanker Abi Burton are set for World Cup debuts after being named to start.

Maddie Feaunati starts at number eight against the nation her father Zak played for 13 times.

Prop Mackenzie Carson could make her first appearance from the bench after being injured in this year’s Six Nations.

World Rugby women’s player of the year Ellie Kildunne, who starred with two tries against the United States, is included on a strong bench that includes last week’s starting half-backs Natasha Hunt and Zoe Harrison.

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

Given England played two different teams across this year’s Women’s Six Nations and still won a fourth consecutive Grand Slam, they are likely to record a big scoreline in Northampton despite the wholesale changes.

England: Sing; Breach, Jones, Shekells, Moloney-MacDonald; Rowland, Packer; Clifford, Atkin-Davies, Bern, Campion, Galligan, Burton, Packer (capt), Feaunati.