By Sohaib Shams
England head coach John Mitchell has overhauled his half-back pairing and made six changes to the starting XV as the Red Roses aim to end their international year on a high against the United States in New Jersey on Friday.
New Half-Back Combination
Flo Robinson will make her first international start at scrum-half alongside Holly Aitchison at fly-half, replacing the previous combination. Wing Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and centre Tatyana Heard also earn starting spots in the backline.
Forward Changes
Up front, props Mackenzie Carson and Maud Muir come into the run-on side. The pack retains Morwenna Talling and Lilli Ives Campion at lock, with Abi Burton, Sadia Kabeya and Maddie Feaunati forming the back row.
Mitchell's Rationale
"Our intent is to start this next phase strongly against the USA, with six months until our next Test in the Guinness Women's Six Nations," Mitchell said. "We're rotating some positions this week to refresh the group, create opportunities and continue building our depth. Selection is driven by what the team needs against the USA, the behaviours we value and the performance we're preparing to deliver."
Recent Form Context
England's 39-match winning run ended in a draw with Canada in Exeter in September, followed by back-to-back defeats as the World Cup runners-up swept a two-match series on home soil — the Red Roses' first consecutive losses in a decade. England last faced the United States in the World Cup opener last year, winning 69-7.
Match Details
The Test kicks off at 9.15pm GMT on Friday, 30 October, at a venue in New Jersey. Meg Jones captains the side, with Emma Sing at fullback and Mia Venner on the wing. Replacements include experienced campaigners Natasha Hunt, Zoe Harrison and Ellie Kildunne.
