Womens’ Rugby World Cup Pool A: England v Australia
Venue: Brighton and Hove Albion Stadium Date: Saturday, 6 September Kick-off: 17:00 BST
Coverage: Live on BBC Two, BBC Radio Sports Extra, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website and app
Gloucester-Hartpury number eight Alex Matthews will lead England against Australia in their final Rugby World Cup pool match on Saturday, in the continued absence of regular captain Zoe Aldcroft.
Aldcroft suffered a knee injury in the tournament-opening win over the United States which has ruled her out until the knockout stages at least.
England’s quarter-final place is already assured but head coach John Mitchell has picked a near first-choice side, with 13 changes from the rotated side that thrashed Samoa last weekend.
Wing Jess Breach is one of those retained and wins her 50th cap ahead of Claudia Moloney-MacDonald.
Elsewhere, Morwenna Talling, more usually a second row, is included at flanker, with former skipper Marlie Packer not in the matchday squad.
Fly-half Holly Aitchison is poised to make her first appearance of the tournament off the bench after recovering from an ankle injury.
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England will secure their place as winners of Pool A as long as they avoid defeat against the Wallaroos, a team they have beaten in all seven of their previous meetings.
The teams’ most recent encounter was the Red Roses’ 42-7 win in WXV in October 2023.
Australia, who drew 31-31 against the United States in their last game, would book their place in the last eight with a bonus point.
If they fail to do so, they will hope the 135-point difference between them and the USA is not wiped out by a combination of a handsome Eagles win over Samoa and a comprehensive England victory.
England line-up to face Australia
England: Kildunne; Dow, Jones, Heard, Breach; Harrison, Hunt; Botterman, Cokayne, Muir, Galligan, Ward, Talling, Kabeya, Matthews
Replacements: Atkin-Davies, Clifford, Bern, Ives Campion, Feaunati, L Packer, Aitchison, Rowland