Aldcroft returns as England captain for Scotland quarter-final

England captain Zoe Aldcroft will return from injury to lead the Red Roses in their Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final clash against Scotland in Bristol on Sunday.

Aldcroft had missed the wins over Samoa and Australia after sustaining a knee knock in the opener against the United States.

Coach John Mitchell confirmed four changes to the starting XV. Fly-half Holly Aitchison makes her first start of the tournament after recovering from an ankle injury, while Helena Rowland comes in at full-back, edging out Emma Sing.

Loosehead prop Kelsey Clifford replaces Hannah Botterman, who is sidelined with a back spasm. World Player of the Year Ellie Kildunne is ruled out under concussion protocols following the Australia game.

The Red Roses are aiming to extend their unbeaten run to 31 consecutive Test wins, breaking their own record. They go into the knockout stage as heavy favourites, having not lost to Scotland since 1989, with an average winning margin of nearly 50 points in their last five encounters.

England coach Mitchell said: "The first stage of the tournament is behind us, and now we enter a new stage of the competition that has an end point.

"We are adapting well to different situations, and while we recognise Scotland have improved, we will still believe we can build pressure on them. This is an exciting challenge that we're ready for.

"We trust our girls to be consistent, take ownership of their roles, embrace the occasion, and earn the right to another week in this competition.

"The enthusiasm surrounding the tournament has been incredible, with support growing across the country. We know Bristol will be no different, and the girls are relishing the opportunity to rise to the occasion."

Starting XV: 15 Helena Rowland, 14 Abby Dow, 13 Megan Jones, 12 Tatyana Heard, 11 Jess Breach, 10 Holly Aitchison, 9 Natasha Hunt; 1 Kelsey Clifford, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Maud Muir, 4 Morwenna Talling, 5 Rosie Galligan, 6 Zoe Aldcroft (captain), 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Alex Matthews.

Reserves: 16 Lark Atkin-Davies, 17 Mackenzie Carson, 18 Sarah Bern, 19 Abbie Ward, 20 Maddie Feaunati, 21 Lucy Packer, 22 Zoe Harrison, 23 Emma Sing.