TRU's 'Ones to Watch' as Red Roses prepare for Black Ferns test
Tatyana Heard is back in England's 23 to face the Black Ferns
©Lizzy Terry/TEZ.PHOTOG
Following their gripping 26-26 draw against Canada last weekend, the Red Roses will look to return to winning ways against long-standing rivals New Zealand at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
This will be England’s final home fixture of this WXV Global Series campaign before they travel to North America next month to face Canada twice and then the United States.
John Mitchell’s team have won their past two WXV meetings with New Zealand, beating the Black Ferns 33-12 in Auckland in 2023 before a 49-31 victory the following year.
The rivalry also carries added significance after New Zealand’s 34-31 win in the 2022 Rugby World Cup final, England’s most recent defeat.
The Red Roses have since remained unbeaten and will look to extend that run on Saturday. They will also have Shaun Edwards in their corner after the decorated defence coach began his short-term consultancy role this week.
New Zealand have also impressed in this year’s WXV, beating France 28-14 before a 66-14 victory over Scotland last weekend.
Ones to watch
Claudia Moloney-MacDonald
After a standout display against Canada last Saturday, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald will be one to watch.
The Exeter Chiefs winger crossed twice in the first half at Sandy Park, showcasing her attacking threat and finishing ability. Her two tries helped England keep pace with a Canadian side that pushed them all the way in an eight-try contest.
Moloney-MacDonald will be hoping to carry that form into Saturday’s clash with the Black Ferns, with the 42-cap international retaining her place in the starting XV.
With New Zealand providing another stern test, her pace, footwork and ability to find space out wide could prove important for the Red Roses in attack.
Maddie Feaunati
Maddie Feaunati returns to the starting XV at No.8 for the Red Roses.
Feaunati, who grew up in New Zealand, will come up against the country she knows so well as she earns her 30th England cap. She impressed from the bench against Canada last weekend, with her physicality and ball-carrying ability making an impact in the second half.
Her recall at No.8 sees Alex Matthews move to blindside flanker, with Feaunati providing another powerful presence in England’s back row.
With the Black Ferns presenting a significant challenge, Feaunati’s carrying, physicality and ability to break the gain line could be key to England’s approach on Saturday.
Tatyana Heard
Tatyana Heard will be a player to keep an eye on from the bench, with the experienced centre returning to the matchday 23.
Heard made her return from a foot injury in England’s opening WXV Global Series fixture against Australia earlier this month, having missed the entirety of the Guinness Women's Six Nations.
The World Cup winner now has another opportunity to make an impact against the Black Ferns as she continues her return to full match fitness.
With Heard offering plenty of experience and attacking threat in the midfield, her introduction could provide another dimension to England’s backline as the game develops.
The 31-year-old will be hoping to make the most of her opportunity when called upon, as the Red Roses look to finish their home fixtures on a high.
More than 50,000 supporters are expected at Allianz Stadium for the 34th meeting between England and the Black Ferns.
And with both sides arriving in strong form, Saturday’s encounter promises to be another stern test for the Red Roses.
England: Kildunne; Breach, Jones (c), Rowland, Moloney-MacDonald; Harrison, L Packer; Carson, Field, Bern, Talling, Ives Campion, Matthews, Kabeya, Feaunati
Replacements: Campbell, Botterman, Muir, Burton, Packer, Hunt, Heard, Sing.
New Zealand: Sorensen-McGee; Paul, Brunt, Du Plessis, Leti-I'iga; H King, Joseph; Viliko, Ponsonby, Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Roos, Bayfield, Mikaele-Tu'u, E-P King, Olsen-Baker
Replacements: Lolohea, Robinson, Taumata, Vaipulu, Sae, Turner, McGregor, Saili.
