Loughborough Lightning’s Sadia Kabeya and Helena Rowland will start for England in their Rugby World Cup Quarter-Final against Scotland.
Flanker Kabeya featured in all three pool stage game squads and packs down at openside flanker at Ashton Gate on Sunday (14 September, kick-off: 4pm BST). Club-mate Rowland, who scored a record 27 points from fly-half against Samoa and featured from the bench against Australia, starts at fullback.
The Red Roses also see captain Zoe Aldcroft returned from injury to pack down at blindside flanker, while Holly Aitchison earns her first start of the tournament at fly-half, and Kelsey Clifford is named at loosehead prop.
Head coach John Mitchell said: “The first stage of the tournament is behind us, and now we enter a new stage of the competition that has an end point.
“We are adapting well to different situations, and while we recognise Scotland have improved, we will still believe we can build pressure on them. This is an exciting challenge that we’re ready for.
“We trust our girls to be consistent, take ownership of their roles, embrace the occasion, and earn the right to another week in this competition.
“The enthusiasm surrounding the tournament has been incredible, with support growing across the country. We know Bristol will be no different, and the girls are relishing the opportunity to rise to the occasion.”
Red Roses team to face Scotland
Sunday 14 September, 2025
Kick-Off: 4pm BST
Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol
Rugby World Cup Quarter-Final
15 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 43 caps)
14 Abby Dow (Unattached, 56 caps)
13 Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women, 30 caps)
12 Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 33 caps)
11 Jess Breach (Saracens, 50 caps)
10 Holly Aitchison (Sale Sharks, 41 caps)
9 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 85 caps)
1 Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 18 caps)
2 Amy Cokayne (Sale Sharks, 86 caps)
3 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 45 caps)
4 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 25 caps)
5 Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 28 caps)
6 Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 66 caps) - captain
7 Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 25 caps)
8 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 78 caps)
Replacements:
16 Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 71 caps)
17 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 22 caps)
18 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 76 caps)
19 Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 78 caps)
20 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 20 caps)
21 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 36 caps)
22 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 62 caps)
23 Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 12 caps)
Loughborough Lightning’s Rugby World Cup stars will be returning to club action for the 2025/26 Premiership Women’s Rugby season, and you can watch them in action at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens with a Lightning Season Ticket priced* from just £65 (adult) and £30 juniors by clicking HERE!
*Season Ticket prices are subject to a booking fee of £2.50 per Season Ticket, plus £10 admin fee for Direct Debit.
