England vs USA
Kickoff: 7:30pm Friday, 22nd August
Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland
Watch on: BBC TWO (in UK)
Team news
England
Starting XV
1.Hannah Botterman 2.Amy Cokayne 3.Maud Muir 4.Morwenna Talling 5.Abbie Ward
6.Zoe Aldcroft(C) 7.Sadia Kabeya 8.Alex Mathews 9.Natasha Hunt 10.Zoe Harrison
11.Jess Breach 12.Tatyana Heard 13.Megan Jones 14.Abby Dow 15.Ellie Kildunne
Bench:
16.Lark Atkin-Davies 17.Kelsey Clifford 18.Sarah Bern 19.Rosie Galligan
20.Maddie Feaunati 21.Lucy Packer 22.Emily Scarratt 23.Emma Sing
John Mitchell has selected a full-strength XV to kick off the World Cup in front of more than 40,000 spectators in Sunderland. Maud Muir has been given the start at tighthead prop with Sarah Bern set to be unleashed in the second half. England will have a powerful back row of Aldcroft, Kabeya and Mathews who will be set the task of dominating the USA at the breakdown. At fly half, Zoe Harrison will start in a partnership with Natasha Hunt. On the wing, Jess Breach has managed to hold onto her starting spot despite pressure from Helena Rowland and impressive performances from Emma Sing at fullback. Emma SIng's performances have, however, earned her a spot on the bench which means that Harrison is the only player in the 23-player squad that is comfortable in the number 10 shirt. Holly Aitchison misses out and Helena Rowland hasn't been given a spot on the bench despite her good form and phenomenal versatility. These absences also allow for Emily Scarratt to take part in her fifth World Cup which is the icing on the cake of an almost unmatched career.
USA
Starting XV
1.Hope Rogers 2.Kathryn Treder 3.Keia Mae Sagapolu 4.Tahlia Brody 5.Erica Jarrell-Searcy
6.Kate Zackary(C) 7.Georgie Perris-Redding 8.Rachel Johnson 9.Olivia Ortiz 10.Mckenzie Hawkins
11.Bulou Mataitoga 12.Alev Kelter 13.Ilhona Maher 14.Emily Henrich 15.Lotte Sharp
Bench
16.Paige Stathopoulos 17.Alivia Leatherman 18.Charli Jacoby 19.Rachel Ehrecke
20.Freda Tafuna 21.Cass Bargell 22.Kristin Bitter 23.Sariah Ibarra
The Americans will be massive underdogs in this game but have a side capable of holding its own physically with any team in the world. The likes of Hope Rogers and Kate Zackary will bring the might up front whilst Ilhona Maher will have to be st her best to combat the athleticism of Heard and Jones in midfield. Look out for Lotte Sharp to try to take advantage of any broken field opportunities and potentially create some highlight moments.
Australia vs Samoa
Kickoff: 12pm, Saturday the 23rd of August
Venue: Salford Community Stadium
Watch on: BBC iPlayer (UK)
Team news
Australia
Starting XV
1.Faliki Pohiva 2.Katalina Amosa 3.Eva Korpani 4.Kaitlan Leaney(C) 5.Michaela Leonara
6.Piper Duck 7.Emily Chancellor 8.Tabua Tuinakauvadra 9.Samantha Wood 10.Faitala Moleka
11.Desiree Miller 12.Cecilia Smith 13.Georgina Friedrichs 14.Maya Stewart 15.Caitlyn Harris
Bench
16.Adiana Talakai 17.Brianna Hoy 18.Bridie O'Gorman 19.Ashley Fernandez
20.Ashley Masters 21.Layne Morgan 22.Tia Hinds 23.Lori Cramer
Australia will be looking to get off to a strong start and pile up the points in this game. To do this, Desiree Miller will need to see plenty of the ball on the outside and use the power of Smith and Friedrichs to take advantage of some tired defending. Things won't get any easier for Samoa in the second half when Ashley Marsters enters the fray alongside Bridie Gorman and Brianna Hoy. Australia will expect to dominate so this game will be important to get players into match-form.
Samoa
Starting XV
1.Ana Mamea 2.Avau Filimaua 3.Glory Alono 4.Ana-Lise Sio 5.Demielle Onesema-Tuilaepa
6.Sinead Ryder 7.Sui Pauaraisa(C) 8.Utumaiama Atonio 9.Ana Afuie 10.Harmony Vatau
11.Drenna Falaniko 12.Fa'asua Makisi(C) 13.Keilamarita Pouri-Lane 14.Lutia Col Aumua 15.Karia Wright-Akeli
Bench
16.Cathy Leuta 17.Denise Alolupotea 18.Tori Losefo 19.Jayjay Taylor
20.Madisen-Jade Iva 21.Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa 22.Melina Salale 23.Faalua Tugaga
Samoa is a team that lacks experience at the international level. 36-year-old flanker Sui Tauaua-Pauaraise is the most-capped player with 24 to her name but she'll need to play like a test centurion to give her side a chance. There are also plenty of youngsters such as the Onesemo-Tuilaepa's who are both in the 23. Samoa will look to use this as a good experience from which they can build for the future.
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