England make three changes for World Cup final against New Zealand

England coach Simon Middleton has made three changes to the starting line up for the World Cup final against New Zealand to be played at Eden Park on Saturday.

Helena Rowland's injury means Ellie Kildunne starts at fullback while Abby Dow starts at left wing with Lydia Thompson at right. Claudia MacDonald, who started in the game against Canada drops to the bench.

The final change sees Holly Aitchison coming at inside centre at the expense of Tatyana Heard joining vice captain Emily Scarratt in the midfield.

Zoe Harrison will continue to have the kicking responsibility forming halfback partnership with Leanne Infante.

"I could not be any prouder of the squad, how we have conducted ourselves and how we have performed," said Middleton.

"We set ourselves an objective to leave this country a better squad than when we arrived and regardless of what happens on Saturday we will do that.

"The way the squad and staff have come together both on and off the field has been fantastic to be a part of and will be a huge part of this team's legacy after the World Cup.

"You are always striving to create something special in team sport and we have done that with this group of Red Roses.

"We know in our heart of hearts that this will more than likely be the last time this group all come together, but what they have created and achieved will live on for a long time."

Middleton also heaped praise on the Black Ferns and said it would be a challenge to face them on their own backyard especially in a World Cup final.

"There can be no bigger challenge in sport than to play the world champions in their own backyard in front of a sell-out crowd - 99.9 per cent of which will be forming part of the opposition.

"Great teams don't fear those challenges, they embrace them, and meet them head-on, that's what we intend to do."

England squad: 15. Ellie Kildunne, 14. Lydia Thompson,13. Emily Scarratt (VC),12. Holly Aitchison, 11. Abby Dow, 10. Zoe Harrison, 9. Leanne Infante, 1. Vickii Cornborough, 2. Amy Cokayne, 3. Sarah Bern, 4. Zoe Aldcroft, 5. Abbie Ward , 6. Alex Matthews, 7. Marlie Packer 8. Sarah Hunter (C)

Replacements: 16. Lark Davies, 17. Maud Muir, 18. Shaunagh Brown, 19. Cath O'Donnell, 20. Poppy Cleall, 21. Sadia Kabeya, 22. Claudia MacDonald, 23. Tatyana Heard