Feaunati returns as England meet New Zealand in front of 50,000
Maddie Feaunati is back at number eight for England's clash with New Zealand at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
The Exeter Chiefs forward — the back-rower who controls the ball at the base of the scrum — comes into a reshuffled pack for the 15:00 kick-off in Twickenham. More than 50,000 fans are expected for the WXV Global Series Test, according to BBC Sport.
England need a response. Last weekend's 26-26 draw with Canada ended a 39-match winning run. It was the first time the Red Roses had failed to win since New Zealand upset them in the final of the previous Women's Rugby World Cup in November 2022.
Head coach John Mitchell has kept faith with much of that Canada side but made key changes up front. Alex Matthews shifts to blind-side flanker, the big-hitting role on the narrow side of the scrum, while Abi Burton drops to the bench.
In the front row, Mackenzie Carson and Sarah Bern start at prop. Hannah Botterman and Maud Muir provide cover among the replacements. Bryony Field keeps the starting hooker shirt — the front-row job that includes throwing into the lineout — ahead of May Campbell.
England are still without Amy Cokayne and Connie Powell through injury. Lark Atkin-Davies, the other senior hooker, has only recently given birth.
The backline is unchanged. Helena Rowland continues at inside centre, the playmaking link outside captain Meg Jones, with Jess Breach, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and Ellie Kildunne forming the back three. Natasha Hunt, Tatyana Heard and Emma Sing are the specialist backs on the bench.
England's starting XV is Kildunne; Breach, Jones, Rowland, Moloney-MacDonald; Holly Harrison, Lucy Packer; Carson, Field, Bern, Rosie Talling, Lilli Ives Campion, Matthews, Sadia Kabeya, Feaunati.
New Zealand arrive in form. The Black Ferns have won all seven Tests this year under new coach Whitney Hansen, daughter of former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen. They named Braxton Sorensen-McGee at full-back, with Mererangi Paul, Sylvia Brunt, Theresa Setefano Du Plessis and Ayesha Leti-I'iga across the rest of the backline. Leti-I'iga scored twice in that 2022 final win over England.
Their starting XV is Sorensen-McGee; Paul, Brunt, Du Plessis, Leti-I'iga; Hannah King, Maia Joseph; Chryss Viliko, Atlanta Lolohea Ponsonby, Tanya Kalounivale Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Alana Bayfield, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Kennedy Tukuafu E-P King, Kaipo Olsen-Baker.
England have won the three meetings since that final defeat. The most recent was a 49-31 victory in October 2024, when England scored nine tries.
What makes this stand out is the history packed into one afternoon. England's dominance since 2022. New Zealand's perfect year so far. A huge Twickenham crowd for a fixture that has decided world titles and could shape the next one.
For fans, this means a familiar rivalry with fresh edges. A returning No. 8. A new-look Black Ferns under a new coach. And a home side eager to turn a frustrating draw into a statement.
