(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Red Roses Announce Squad for Final Rugby World Cup Warm-Up Match Against France
The England Women’s Rugby Team, known as the Red Roses, have confirmed their lineup for their final warm-up match ahead of the 2025 Rugby World Cup, set to kick off on August 22. The squad will face France this Saturday at Stade Guy Boniface, following a commanding 97-7 win over Spain.
🔁 Major Team Changes Ahead of Key Clash
Head Coach John Mitchell has made 11 changes to the starting XV that triumphed over Spain, giving a fresh look to the team set to challenge one of their biggest European rivals.
Key changes include:
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Ellie Kildunne, the 2024 World Player of the Year, returns at full-back.
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Abby Dow, Tatyana Heard, and Natasha Hunt also move into starting roles after being used as substitutes last weekend.
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Jess Breach retains her place on the wing, while Megan Jones continues in midfield.
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Zoe Harrison remains the team’s choice at fly-half, bringing consistency to the backline.
💪 Strengthened Forward Pack
The Red Roses also revamp their forward line:
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Hannah Botterman, Amy Cokayne, and Maud Muir start in the front row.
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Morwenna Talling joins Abbie Ward in the second row.
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Captain Zoe Aldcroft returns to the blindside flanker position, flanked by Sadia Kabeya and Alex Matthews in the back row.
🏆 A Rivalry Rekindled
England’s last match against France came in a thrilling Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam decider in April, where the Red Roses edged out their rivals with a nail-biting 43-42 victory at Twickenham.
This weekend’s encounter will not only test both squads’ readiness but also serve as a preview of potential World Cup matchups, with both nations among the tournament favorites.
Stay tuned for more Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 updates, team news, and match highlights.
