England vs Canada: Red Roses make nine changes following Australia win to open WXV tournament

Marlie Packer scored two tries as England started the new series with a 42-7 win over Australia in Wellington last week; she will retain her place when England face Canada on October 27, while full-back Ellie Kilnauw is one of the new faces to come into the starting line-up

England made nine changes to the starting line-up for their second match of the WXV 1 tournament against Canada on Friday.

Marlie Packer scored two tries as England started the new series with a 42-7 win over Australia in Wellington last week.

She retains her place in the side, but elsewhere, fullback Ellie Kilnauw (who has scored three tries in her last two appearances against the Canadians) and fullback Claudia MacDonald return to the back three, alongside Abby Dow.

Megan Jones and Helena Rowland celebrate as England made a winning start in the new WVX series against Australia

Helena Rowland switches to outside center and links up with incoming midfielder Amber Reed, and scrumhalf Natasha Hunt is named as Holly Aitchison’s halfback partner.

A new front row starts with Mackenzie Carson, Lark Atkin-Davies and Sarah Bern, while Cath O’Donnell is back in the second row alongside Zoe Aldcroft.

Morwenna Talling is selected as blindside flanker, while captain Marlie Packer and Alex Matthews remain openside flanker and number eight respectively.

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England attacking coach Lou Meadows says the Red Roses are ‘showing confidence’ in their new attacking style of play.

Red Roses interim head coach Louis Deacon said: “We have named a team that we believe gives us the best chance to build on our momentum from last weekend’s match.

“The energy was positive throughout our time in New Zealand, and it was a great start to our time in Dunedin as we prepare for the next round of WXV.

“Our Summer Series games against Canada were the perfect warm-up for WXV and we have no doubt they will provide another stern test on Friday night.”

Red Roses line-up: 15. Ellie Kilnauw (Harlequins), 14. Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women), 13. Helena Rowland – vice-captain (Loughborough Lightning), 12. Amber Reed (Bristol Bears), 11. Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs), 10. Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears), 9. Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury)

1. Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury), 2. Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears), 3. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears), 4. Zoe Aldcroft – vice-captain (Gloucester-Hartpury), 5. Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning), 6. Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks), 7. Marlie Packer – captain (Saracens), 8. Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury)

Replacements: 16. Connie Powell (Harlequins), 17. Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears), 18. Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury), 19. Rosie Galligan (Saracens), 20. Maisy Allen (Exeter Chiefs), 21. Ella Wyrwas (Saracens) ) ), 22. Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury), 23. Jess Breach (Saracens)

What is the WXV Tournament?

World Rugby has launched a new annual international women’s competition, WXV, with all home nations in action from Friday 13 October. Each tier has six teams and is played as a standalone tournament in a different location, with WXV 1 in New Zealand, WXV 2 in South Africa and WXV 3 in Dubai.

England, Canada and France made a winning start to the competition last week, with England’s next opponents, Canada, beating Wales 42-22 in their opener. France defeated New Zealand 18-17.

WXV 1: Australia, Canada, EnglandFrance, New Zealand, Wales.

WXV 2: Italy, Japan, Samoa, ScotlandSouth Africa, USA

WXV 3: Colombia, Fiji, IrelandKazakhstan, Kenya, Spain.

It is a cross-pool format, meaning that teams do not play everyone in their level, but against three countries from outside their continent (excluding Ireland versus Spain).

There will be no relegation from WXV 1 for the first two years, but the sixth-placed team from WXV 2 will be relegated to WXV 3 and replaced by the winner of the third tier. The lowest placed team from WXV 3 is at risk of dropping out of the competition and faces a play-off with the second best team according to the World Rugby Women’s Rankings.