Sadaya Kabeya has been named in John Mitchell’s starting squad to face the USA on Friday (22 August, kick-off: 7:30pm BST) at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, with Emily Scarratt set to appear off the bench.
It’s a 24th cap and a second World Cup for Kabeya, and if Scarratt appears off the bench, it will mark a remarkable fifth World Cup for the Red Roses stalwart and her 119th Test cap.
A record crowd for a Women’s Rugby World Cup opening match is expected, with over 40,000 tickets sold.
Head coach John Mitchell has made no changes to his starting 15 that defeated France 40-6 in their second warm-up match ahead of the competition.
“We have been building nicely into the tournament and now we’re excited to get our campaign underway,” Mitchell said.
“Sunderland have been a great host city thus far and we know it’ll be a record crowd for a Women’s Rugby World Cup opening match which shows the appetite for rugby in this region and for the competition ahead.
“We want to embrace the occasion whilst understanding we have to remain where our feet are and earn the right to progress through the pool stage.”
Red Roses vs USA Eagles
Friday 22 August, 2025
Stadium of Light, Sunderland
Kick-off: 7:30pm BST
15 Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 53 caps)
14 Abby Dow (Unattached, 54 caps)
13 Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women, 27 caps)
12 Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 31 caps)
11 Jess Breach (Saracens, 47 caps)
10 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 59 caps)
9 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 82 caps)
1 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 58 caps)
2 Amy Cokayne (Sale Sharks, 84 caps)
3 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 42 caps)
4 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 23 caps)
5 Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 76 caps)
6 Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 65 caps) - captain
7 Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 23 caps)
8 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 76 caps)
Replacements:
16 Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 68 caps)
17 Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 15 caps)
18 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 73 caps)
19 Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 25 caps)
20 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 17 caps)
21 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 33 caps)
22 Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 118 caps)
23 Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 10 caps)
Lightning’s Women’s Rugby World Cup stars will be back at Loughborough in time for the start of the 2025/26 Premiership Women’s Rugby campaign. Season Tickets 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.
