Photo via BBC Sport

Field to make first England start in World Cup final rematch with Canada

Hooker Bryony Field is slated for her opening starting appearance for England this Saturday at Exeter's Sandy Park, where the Red Roses will face Canada in a rematch of last year's World Cup decider during the WXV Global Series. The Huddersfield RFC product, who notched a try off the bench during the recent 48-15 triumph against Australia in Salford, steps into a front row depleted by an injury to Amy Cokayne, Connie Powell's post-surgical recovery, and Lark Atkin-Davies's recent maternity leave.

She joins fellow front-row partners Hannah Botterman and Maud Muir, while half-backs Lucy Packer and Zoe Harrison link up in a revamped pairing alongside returning injury absentees Jess Breach and Alex Matthews. In total, 14 members of the current matchday selection featured in the World Cup final victory over the Canadians.

England hold a dominant record in the matchup, winning 34 of 38 encounters, including their current 14-game winning streak that stretches back to Canada's last triumph in Salt Lake City in 2016, prompting head coach John Mitchell to acknowledge the heightened level of the rivalry and urge his squad to elevate their standards. Following Saturday's clash, the Red Roses host second-ranked New Zealand at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium on 26 September before heading across the Atlantic for October fixtures against Canada in Toronto and Ottawa, plus a contest with the United States in New Jersey.