Team News: Women's Rugby World Cup - How does your team line-up in Round 1?

Fans can look forward to seeing seasoned campaigners like Emily Scarratt and Zoe Aldcroft leading the Red Roses, while the USA showcase rising talent, including Sevens star Ilona Maher making her Rugby World Cup debut. Across England, other pools get underway with powerhouse nations like New Zealand, France, Canada, and Australia facing off against determined challengers eager to make their mark.

John Mitchell has named an unchanged XV from the 40-6 warm-up win over France, with captain Zoe Aldcroft leading from blind-side alongside Alex Matthews at No.8 and Sadia Kabeya at openside. Among the replacements, Emily Scarratt is set to appear in her fifth Rugby World Cup, having debuted the last time England hosted in 2010. Kelsey Clifford, Maddie Feaunati and Emma Sing will make debuts from the bench. A record crowd of over 40,000 is expected.

Ilona Maher the world's most followed rugby player on social media, is set to start her first Rugby World Cup match having been selected in the USA team to take on hosts and world number 1 side England at the Stadium of Light. USA Prop Hope Rogers plies her trade in England for the Exeter Chiefs and starts in her fourth Rugby World Cup, having played in 2014, 2017 and 2022.

England Starting XV: 1 Hannah Botterman, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Maud Muir, 4 Morwenna Talling, 5 Abbie Ward, 6 Zoe Aldcroft (c), 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Alex Matthews, 9 Natasha Hunt, 10 Zoe Harrison, 11 Jess Breach, 12 Tatyana Heard, 13 Megan Jones, 14 Abby Dow, 15 Ellie Kildunne.
Replacements: 16 Lark Atkin-Davies, 17 Kelsey Clifford, 18 Sarah Bern, 19 Rosie Galligan, 20 Maddie Feaunati, 21 Lucy Packer, 22 Emily Scarratt, 23 Emma Sing.

USA Starting XV: 1 Hope Rogers, 2 Kathryn Treder, 3 Keia Mae Sagapolu, 4 Tahlia Brody, 5 Erica Jarrell-Searcy, 6 Kate Zackary (c), 7 Georgie Perris-Redding, 8 Rachel Johnson, 9 Olivia Ortiz, 10 McKenzie Hawkins, 11 Bulou Mataitoga, 12 Alev Kelter, 13 Ilona Maher, 14 Emily Henrich, 15 Lotte Sharp.
Replacements: 16 Paige Stathopoulos, 17 Alivia Leatherman, 18 Charli Jacoby, 19 Rachel Ehrecke, 20 Freda Tafuna, 21 Cassidy Bargell, 22 Kristin Bitter, 23 Sariah Ibarra.

Wallaroos head coach Jo Yapp has included 13 players with previous Rugby World Cup experience for the Pool A clash against Samoa. Full-back Caitlyn Halse, just 18 years old with 11 caps, becomes the youngest Australian to play at a Women’s Rugby World Cup. Prop Brianna Hoy returns to the bench following an ACL injury last September, while second row Michaela Leonard is the most capped player in the starting 15 with 38 appearances. Kaitlan Leaney will captain the side, sharing leadership duties with back row Emily Chancellor.

Samoa, competing at a Rugby World Cup for the first time since 2014, will field a completely debutant side. Two players, Keilamarita Pouri Lane and Madisen-Jade Iva, will make their international debuts. Inspirational captain Sui Pauaraisa, the country’s most capped player with 26 appearances, leads the team. Australia and Samoa have met only once previously, back in 2010.

Australia Starting XV: 1 Faliki Pohiva, 2 Katalina Amosa, 3 Eva Karpani, 4 Kaitlan Leaney (c), 5 Michaela Leonard, 6 Piper Duck, 7 Emily Chancellor, 8 Tabua Tuinakauvadra, 9 Samantha Wood, 10 Faitala Moleka, 11 Desiree Miller, 12 Cecilia Smith, 13 Georgina Friedrichs, 14 Maya Stewart, 15 Caitlyn Halse.
Replacements: 16 Adiana Talakai, 17 Brianna Hoy, 18 Bridie O’Gorman, 19 Ashley Fernandez, 20 Ashley Marsters, 21 Layne Morgan, 22 Tia Hinds, 23 Lori Cramer.

Samoa Starting XV: 1 Ana Mamea, 2 Avau Filimaua, 3 Glory Aiono, 4 Ana-Lise Sio, 5 Demielle Onesemo-Tuilaepa, 6 Sinead Ryder, 7 Sui Pauaraisa (c), 8 Utumalama Atonio, 9 Ana Afuie, 10 Harmony Vatau, 11 Drenna Falaniko, 12 Fa’asua Makisi, 13 Keilamarita Pouri-Lane, 14 Lutia Col Aumua, 15 Karla Wright-Akeli.
Replacements: 16 Lulu Leuta, 17 Denise Aiolupotea, 18 Tori Iosefo, 19 JayJay Taylor, 20 Madisen-Jade Jamie Iva, 21 Christabelle Onosemo-Tuilaepa, 22 Melina Grace Salale, 23 Faalua Tugaga.

Scotland head coach Bryan Easson names his matchday 23 with captain Rachel Malcolm winning her 59th cap, joined in the back row by Rachel McLachlan and debutant Evie Gallagher at No.8. Sarah Bonar returns to partner Emma Wassell in the second row, while hooker Lana Skeldon makes her 82nd Scotland appearance. Centres Lisa Thomson and Emma Orr continue their midfield partnership.

For Wales, Sean Lynn’s side sees wing Lisa Neumann win her 50th cap, having first debuted against Scotland in 2018. She was among the original 12 players awarded professional contracts by the WRU in 2022. Alex Callender and Kate Williams co-captain the team from the back row, while Hannah Dallavalle partners Courtney Keight in midfield.

Scotland Starting XV: 1 Leah Bartlett, 2 Lana Skeldon, 3 Elliann Clarke, 4 Emma Wassell, 5 Sarah Bonar, 6 Rachel Malcolm (c), 7 Rachel McLachlan, 8 Evie Gallagher, 9 Leia Brebner-Holden, 10 Helen Nelson, 11 Francesca McGhie, 12 Lisa Thomson, 13 Emma Orr, 14 Rhona Lloyd, 15 Chloe Rollie.
Replacements: 16 Elis Martin, 17 Molly Wright, 18 Lisa Cockburn, 19 Jade Konkel, 20 Eva Donaldson, 21 Alex Stewart, 22 Caity Mattinson, 23 Beth Blacklock.

Wales Starting XV: 1 Gwenllian Pyrs, 2 Kelsey Jones, 3 Donna Rose, 4 Alaw Pyrs, 5 Gwen Crabb, 6 Kate Williams, 7 Bethan Lewis, 8 Alex Callender (c), 9 Keira Bevan, 10 Lleucu George, 11 Lisa Neumann, 12 Courtney Keight, 13 Hannah Dallavalle, 14 Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, 15 Nel Metcalfe.
Replacements: 16 Carys Phillips, 17 Maisie Davies, 18 Sisilia Tuipulotu, 19 Abbie Fleming, 20 Georgia Evans, 21 Seren Lockwood, 22 Kayleigh Powell, 23 Carys Cox.

Canada head coach Kevin Rouet has named a matchday 23 featuring experienced leaders and exciting new talent. Taylor Perry starts at fly-half after missing the opening game of the last Rugby World Cup due to injury. Rachel Smith, who earned her first cap for Canada in May against USA, is set to make her Rugby World Cup debut. The squad carries an average of 29 caps per player, led by Tyson Beukeboom, the most-capped player in Canadian women’s rugby history with 77 appearances.

Fiji, making only their second Rugby World Cup appearance, are led by 21-year-old captain Alfreda Fisher, who will make her tournament debut. The inclusion of Selai Naliva, Kelerayani Luvu, and Salote Nailolo brings youthful energy, while experienced forward Vika Matarugu, with 19 caps and three previous RWC matches, strengthens the bench. Canada, ranked world number two, and Fiji meet with contrasting experience and ambition.

Canada Starting XV: 1 Brittany Kassil, 2 Gillian Boag, 3 Olivia DeMerchant, 4 Sophie de Goede, 5 Courtney O'Donnell, 6 Caroline Crossley, 7 Fabiola Forteza, 8 Gabrielle Senft, 9 Justine Pelletier, 10 Taylor Perry, 11 Fancy Bermudez, 12 Alex Tessier (c), 13 Florence Symonds, 14 Alysha Corrigan, 15 Julia Schell.
Replacements: 16 Emily Tuttosi, 17 McKinley Hunt, 18 DaLeaka Menin, 19 Tyson Beukeboom, 20 Karen Paquin, 21 Rachel Smith, 22 Olivia Apps, 23 Shoshanah Seumanutafa.

Fiji Starting XV: 1 Loraini Senivutu, 2 Bitila Tawake, 3 Tiana Robanakadavu, 4 Jade Coates, 5 Mereoni Nakesa, 6 Nunia Daunimoala, 7 Alfreda Fisher (c), 8 Manuqali Komaitai, 9 Setaita Railumu, 10 Salanieta Kinita, 11 Repeka Adi Tove, 12 Josivini Tuikilakila, 13 Ema Adivitaloga, 14 Ilisapeci Delaiwau, 15 Litiana Vueti.
Replacements: 16 Selai Naliva, 17 Bulou Vasuturaga, 18 Vika Matarugu, 19 Asinate Serevi, 20 Karalaini Naisewa, 21 Kolora Lomani, 22 Kelerayani Luvu, 23 Adi Salote Nailolo.

France will be looking to get their campaign off to a positive start after a 40-6 warm-up defeat to England. Last time out at RWC 2021 (played in New Zealand in 2022) they narrowly missed the final, losing their semi-final by one point to eventual champions New Zealand. Centre Marine Menager and second row Manae Feleu will co-captain Les Bleues, with Menager earning her 59th cap and sixth Rugby World Cup match, and Feleu playing her 28th cap and third RWC match.

Prop Annaelle Deshaye starts on the bench for what would be her 50th cap if she comes on and is the most experienced player in terms of RWC appearances, having played nine previous matches. The front row features Assia Khalfaoui (32 tests), hooker Manon Bigot (14), and Yllana Brosseau (22), slightly less experienced than Italy’s front row.

Italy lost a close match to France 34-21 in this year’s Six Nations but finished fourth overall with wins over Scotland and Wales. Scrum-half Sofia Stefan earns her 99th cap. The front row includes Turani (44 caps), Vecchini (38), and Seye (34), while second rows Tounesi (50 caps) and Duca (58) bring extensive experience. Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi returns at full-back after recovering from injury, and Ilaria Arrighetti is selected for her third Rugby World Cup.

France Starting XV: 1 Yllana Brosseau, 2 Manon Bigot, 3 Assia Khalfaoui, 4 Manae Feleu, 5 Madoussou Fall Raclot, 6 Charlotte Escudero, 7 Lea Champon, 8 Teani Feleu, 9 Alexandra Chambon, 10 Carla Arbez, 11 Kelly Arbey, 12 Gaby Vernier, 13 Marine Menager (c), 14 Joanna Grisez, 15 Morgane Bourgeois.
Replacements: 16 Agathe Gerin, 17 Annaelle Deshaye, 18 Rose Bernadou, 19 Axelle Berthoumieu, 20 Seraphine Okemba, 21 Lina Queyroi, 22 Lina Tuy, 23 Carla Neisen.

Italy Starting XV: 1 Silvia Turani, 2 Vittoria Vecchini, 3 Sara Seye, 4 Sara Tounesi, 5 Giordana Duca, 6 Francesca Sgorbini, 7 Alissa Ranuccini, 8 Elisa Giordano (c), 9 Sofia Stefan, 10 Emma Stevanin, 11 Alyssa D’Inca, 12 Sara Mannini, 13 Michela Sillari, 14 Aura Muzzo, 15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi.
Replacements: 16 Desiree Spinelli, 17 Emanuela Stecca, 18 Gaia Maris, 19 Valeria Fedrighi, 20 Ilaria Arrighetti, 21 Alia Bitonci, 22 Veronica Madia, 23 Francesca Granzotto.

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand has named co-captains Sam Monaghan and Edel McMahon to lead the side in their opening match against Japan. Eve Higgins partners Aoife Dalton in midfield, while the back row features Fiona Tuite at blindside flanker, McMahon at openside, and Brittany Hogan at number eight.

Japan, playing their second Women’s Rugby World Cup, are seeking their first pool win. Iroha Nagata captains the side from the back row, while Haruka Hirotsu and Mana Furuta form the centre partnership. The squad aims to build on their RWC debut experience and challenge a strong Irish side at Franklin’s Gardens.

Ireland Starting XV: 1 Niamh O’Dowd, 2 Neve Jones, 3 Linda Djougang, 4 Ruth Campbell, 5 Sam Monaghan, 6 Fiona Tuite, 7 Edel McMahon (c), 8 Brittany Hogan, 9 Aoibheann Reilly, 10 Dannah O'Brien, 11 Amee Leigh Costigan, 12 Eve Higgins, 13 Aoife Dalton, 14 Beibhinn Parsons, 15 Stacey Flood.
Replacements: 16 Cliodhna Moloney Macdonald, 17 Ellena Perry, 18 Sadhbh McGrath, 19 Eimear Corri-Fallon, 20 Grace Moore, 21 Emily Lane, 22 Enya Breen, 23 Anna McGann.

Japan Starting XV: 1 Sachiko Kato, 2 Asuka Kuge, 3 Wako Kitano, 4 Yuna Sato, 5 Otoka Yoshimura, 6 Masami Kawamura, 7 Iroha Nagata (c), 8 Seina Saito, 9 Moe Tsukui, 10 Ayasa Otsuka, 11 Komachi Imakugi, 12 Haruka Hirotsu, 13 Mana Furuta, 14 Misaki Matsumura, 15 Sora Nishimura.
Replacements: 16 Kotomi Taniguchi, 17 Manami Mine, 18 Nijiho Nagata, 19 Ayano Sakurai, 20 Kyoko Hosokawa, 21 Megumi Abe, 22 Minori Yamamoto, 23 Sakurako Hatada.

South Africa head coach Swys de Bruin has named a matchday 23 with captain Nolusindiso Booi extending her record as the most capped South Africa women’s player and leading the team for a record 24th time. Prop Babalwa Latsha (36 caps), flanker Sinazo Mcatshulwa (38), and hooker Lindelwa Gwala (35) also add to their appearance records. Libbie Janse van Rensburg could extend her record for most points in a test career (209), while Zintle Mpupha could become South Africa’s top try scorer with 20.

Brazil, making their RWC debut, have Taís Prioste, Júlia Leni Lima, and Franciele Barros in the front row. Scrum-half Aline Mayumi partners playmaker Raquel Kochhann, Brazil’s flagbearer at the Paris 2024 Olympics, while Sevens captain Bianca Silva starts at full-back. The team aims to challenge South Africa with energy and speed.

South Africa Starting XV: 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie, 2 Lindelwa Gwala, 3 Babalwa Latsha, 4 Nolusindiso Booi (c), 5 Danelle Lochner, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 8 Aseza Hele, 9 Nadine Roos, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 11 Ayanda Malinga, 12 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 13 Zintle Mpupha, 14 Maceala Samboya, 15 Byrhandre Dolf.
Replacements: 16 Micke Gunter, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Vainah Ubisi, 20 Lerato Makua, 21 Catha Jacobs, 22 Unam Tose, 23 Jacomina Cilliers.

Brazil Starting XV: 1 Franciele Barros, 2 Julia Leni De Lima, 3 Taís Gomes da Costa Prioste, 4 Eshyllen Coimbra (c), 5 Marcelle da Cruz de Souza, 6 Larissa Fernanda Lima Silva Henwood, 7 Larissa Alves Carvalho, 8 Camilla Carvalho, 9 Aline Mayumi Bednarski, 10 Raquel Kochhann, 11 Edna Santini, 12 Mariana Nicolau, 13 Marina Fioravanti, 14 Giovanna Barth Moreira, 15 Bianca Silva.
Replacements: 16 Isabela Gomes Saccomanno, 17 Samara Vergara, 18 Giovana Mamede, 19 Dayana Dakar, 20 Leticia Silva Ferreira, 21 Luiza Gonzalez da Costa Campos, 22 Fernanda Tenorio, 23 Isadora Lopes.

New Zealand head coach Allan Bunting has named a matchday 23 featuring experienced leaders and exciting talent for their Pool D opener against Spain. Theresa Setefano will run out for her 20th cap, while co-captain Alana Bremner and Liana Mikaele-Tu’u both reach the 30-cap milestone. Sevens star Jorja Miller starts in the back row for the reigning champions.

Spain, led by captain Laura Delgado, field a front row of Delgado, Cristina Blanco, and Sidorella Bracic. Zahía Pérez and Claudia Peña start at centre, while Mónica Castelo and Lourdes Alameda complete an experienced front five. The Spanish side aims to challenge the Black Ferns and make their mark in only their second Women’s Rugby World Cup.

New Zealand Starting XV: 1 Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, 2 Vici-Rose Green, 3 Amy Rule, 4 Alana Bremner (c), 5 Chelsea Bremner, 6 Layla Sae, 7 Jorja Miller, 8 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 9 Maia Joseph, 10 Kelly Brazier, 11 Ayesha Leti-Iiga, 12 Theresa Setefano, 13 Amy du Plessis, 14 Braxton Sorensen-McGee, 15 Renee Holmes.
Replacements: 16 Georgia Ponsonby, 17 Chryss Viliko, 18 Tanya Kalounivale, 19 Laura Bayfield, 20 Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 21 Risi Pouri-Lane, 22 Ruahei Demant, 23 Portia Woodman-Wickliffe.

Spain Starting XV: 1 Laura Delgado, 2 Cristina Blanco Herrera, 3 Sidorella Bracic Rodriguez, 4 Monica Castelo, 5 Lourdes Alameda, 6 Victoria Rosell Martinez, 7 Nerea Garcia Rementeria, 8 Alba Capell, 9 Anne Fernandez de Corres, 10 Amalia Argudo, 11 Clara Piquero, 12 Zahia Perez, 13 Claudia Pena Hidalgo, 14 Tecla Masoko Bueriberi, 15 Lea Ducher.
Replacements: 16 Nuria Jou, 17 Ines Antolinez Fernandez, 18 Mireia De Andres, 19 Anna Puig, 20 Lia Pineiro, 21 Maider Aresti Felix, 22 Alba Vinuesa (c), 23 Claudia Perez Perez.