Head coach Simon Middleton has named his matchday squad to take on USA at Worcester Warriors’ Sixways Stadium on Sunday (21 November, kick-off 2.45pm and live on BBC Two).
Lydia Thompson is set to earn her 50th cap at the club she has represented throughout her career, while Rowena Burnfield is poised to reach the same milestone as she’s named in the matchday squad for the first time since February 2019.
World Rugby Player of the Year nominee Zoe Aldcroft captains the side for the first time with Gloucester-Hartpury team-mate Connie Powell and Harlequins scrum half Lucy Packer named among the finishers and in line for their first caps.
Prop Maud Muir is awarded her first start at tighthead prop and is joined by Vickii Cornborough and Lark Davies in the front row.
Harlequins’ Sarah Beckett makes her first appearance of the autumn internationals after returning from a knee injury.
Fresh from scoring a double on her debut, Heather Cowell starts on the left wing while Harriet Millar-Mills lines up alongside Aldcroft in the second row.
Regular wing Abby Dow starts at full-back for the first time in her senior England career while Helena Rowland and Lagi Tuima form the 10-12 axis.
Sadia Kabeya retains her place at openside flanker while Worcester Warriors’ Alex Matthews is at blindside flanker.
Scrum half Leanne Infante is vice captain and Holly Aitchison starts at outside centre, the position she occupied in England’s two victories over New Zealand to open the autumn international period.
Sarah Hunter, Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman, Zoe Harrison and Ellie Kildunne are among the finishers.
Tickets are still available for the Red Roses’ final autumn international and can be purchased here.
Middleton said: “Earning 50 caps is a huge achievement and we’re made up for both Lydia (Thompson) and Rowena (Burnfield).
“Lydia has been an important part of our team for a long time and it’s fitting for her to reach this milestone at the stadium and club she’s always called home.
“It’s been great to have Rowena back in the squad. She’s an incredibly tough and combative player and we need those types in our team. She’s also an incredibly versatile player who can play in the second row or at flanker which is a huge benefit in any team.
“It’ll be a special and proud day for both players and their loved ones.
“Leadership comes in many different forms. Zoe Aldcroft has her own style based around actions not words. It’s a style that resonates with our coaching team and one that is massively respected across the squad, so from that side it was a simple choice for us and in line with how we have approached this series of games. It gives us and her more key learning and development opportunities. Zoe is one of the first names on our team sheet. Her leadership in our forward pack, set piece and in particular the lineout is exceptional. She thoroughly deserves the opportunity to lead her country out.
“We’re also pleased to name Connie Powell and Lucy Packer among the finishers. Both have worked extremely hard in camp with us..
“Any team coached by Rob Cain will bring an unpredictability and his USA will be no different. We know we’re in for a tough game and will have to be ready for anything and that adds another dimension.
“Worcester Warriors are a fantastic club with a great history. Their support is hardcore and have stuck by them through thick and thin. That doesn’t happen unless the fans are passionate about their rugby and we recognised that when we were looking at potential venues. This is a great place to play.
“We’re all looking forward to running out for our final autumn international at Sixways on Sunday and hope to end the year on a high.”
England team to play USA
15. Abby Dow (Wasps, 21 caps)
14. Lydia Thompson (Worcester Warriors, 49 caps)
13. Holly Aitchison (Saracens, 3 caps)
12. Lagi Tuima (Harlequins, 11 caps)
11. Heather Cowell (Harlequins, 1 cap)
10. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 9 caps)
9. Leanne Infante (vc; Bristol Bears, 47 caps)
1. Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins, 63 caps)
2. Lark Davies (Loughborough Lightning, 34 caps)
3. Maud Muir (Wasps, 3 caps)
4. Harriet Millar-Mills (Wasps, 65 caps)
5. Zoe Aldcroft (C; Gloucester Hartpury, 27 caps)
6. Alex Matthews (Worcester Warriors, 44 caps)
7. Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 1 cap)
8. Sarah Beckett (Harlequins, 21 caps)
Finishers
16. Connie Powell (Gloucester-Hartpury, uncapped)
17. Hannah Botterman (Saracens, 25 caps)
18. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 39 caps)
19. Rowena Burnfield (Wasps, 49 caps)
20. Sarah Hunter (Loughborough Lighting, 129 caps)
21. Lucy Packer (Harlequins, uncapped)
22. Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 33 caps)
23. Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 17 caps)
Thanks to England Rugby
