Loughborough Lightning pair Helena Rowland and Cath O’Donnell have been selected to start for the Red Roses against Canada at Sandy Park on Saturday (kick-off: 2.30pm).
Rowland will earn England cap number 25 at outside centre while O’Donnell moves to 28 caps from the second row.
Marlie Packer captains the side from openside flanker with Rosie Galligan, Morwenna Talling and Zoe Aldcroft also in the pack.
The backline sees one change from the XV that started the Grand Slam-winning encounter with France at Twickenham Stadium in April, as Jess Breach comes in on the wing.
Among the replacements, back row Maisy Allen is in line for her first senior cap while Megan Jones returns to a matchday squad for the first time since 2021.
Interim Head Coach Louis Deacon said: “We have had a very positive pre-season and we are pleased with the progress we have made as a Red Roses group, on and off the field. This match is the beginning of a new journey together as a squad, against a Canada side with a lot of world-class attributes.
“Sandy Park is always a great venue to play at and the fans have been incredible every time we have been down there. Everyone is relishing the opportunity that awaits and can’t wait to take to the field on Saturday.”
The match with Canada will be streamed live on the England Rugby YouTube and Facebook channels.
ENGLAND v CANADA
Saturday 23 September 2023
Sandy Park
Kick-off: 2:30pm
15 Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 34 caps)
14 Jess Breach (Saracens, 28 caps)
13 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 24 caps)
12 Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 14 caps)
11 Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women, 35 caps)
10 Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 20 caps)
9 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 14 caps)
1 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 5 caps)
2 Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 49 caps)
3 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 57 caps)
4 Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 9 caps)
5 Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 27 caps)
6 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 7 caps)
7 Marlie Packer – captain (Saracens, 94 caps)
8 Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 43 caps)
Replacements:
16 Connie Powell (Harlequins, 9 caps)
17 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 37 caps)
18 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 20 caps)
19 Sarah Beckett (Gloucester-Hartpury, 30 caps)
20 Maisy Allen (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
21 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 62 caps)
22 Megan Jones (Leicester Tigers, 12 caps)
23 Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 28 caps)