Red Roses name their team to play Scotland

Captain Zoe Aldcroft will return to action on Sunday as the Red Roses take on Scotland in the Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final at Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol (KO 4pm). 

The 28-year-old is back at blindside flanker after missing the second and third pool stage matches due to injury. 

She is one of four changes to the team that started the victory over Australia last time out in Brighton. 

Fresh from two tries as a replacement versus the Wallaroos, Kelsey Clifford is named at loosehead prop in the only other alteration in the forwards. 

Holly Aitchison earns a first start of the tournament at fly-half, outside Natasha Hunt, with Helena Rowland coming in at full-back. Wings Jess Breach and Abby Dow remain in the back three, and centres Tatyana Heard and Megan Jones complete the backline. 

Hooker Amy Cokayne and tighthead prop Maud Muir retain their places in the front row while Aldcroft’s return sees Morwenna Talling switch to the second row alongside Rosie Galligan. Sadia Kabeya and Alex Matthews continue in the back row. 

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 play Scotland

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)