Loughborough Lightning’s Sadia Kabeya has been named in John Mitchell’s starting squad to face Australia on Saturday (6 September, kick-off 5pm BST) at Brighton Community Stadium, with last week’s starters Lilli Ives Campion and Helena Rowland set to appear off the bench.
England have had a dominant start to pool A with impressive victories against USA and Samoa, including a 92-3 victory last weekend at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens which saw them gain qualification for the quarter-finals.
It was an impressive display from Lightning’s two players last weekend, with Ives Campion marshalling a dominant lineout and Rowland set a new Women’s Rugby World Cup record, scoring 27 points.
Kabeya scored the opening try of the tournament from the back of a rolling maul against the USA in a monstrous game for the back-row, making 26 tackles and 10 carries.
On the squad, Mitchell said: “We want to build on our opening matches of the tournament and finish the pool stage with a good performance against Australia.
“Brighton has been a great host for us this week. It’s a new venue for the Red Roses, one that has a history of World Cup magic. We’re excited to see thousands of our supporters come down to the south coast and get behind the girls.”
Red Roses vs Wallaroos
Brighton Community Stadium
Saturday 6 September
Kick-off: 5pm
15 Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 54 caps)
14 Abby Dow (Unattached, 55 caps)
13 Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women, 29 caps)
12 Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 32 caps)
11 Jess Breach (Saracens, 49 caps)
10 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 61 caps)
9 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 84 caps)
1 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 59 caps)
2 Amy Cokayne (Sale Sharks, 85 caps)
3 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 44 caps)
4 Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 27 caps)
5 Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 77 caps)
6 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 24 caps)
7 Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 24 caps)
8 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 77 caps) - captain
Replacements:
16 Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 70 caps)
17 Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 17 caps)
18 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 75 caps)
19 Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning, 4 caps)
20 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 19 caps)
21 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 35 caps)
22 Holly Aitchison (Sale Sharks, 40 caps)
23 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 42 caps)
Loughborough Lightning 2025/26 Season Tickets (which include entrance to the Saracens game) are still available HERE, priced* from just £65 (adult) and £30 juniors.
*Season Ticket prices are subject to a booking fee of £2.50 per Season Ticket, plus £10 admin fee for Direct Debit.
