Emily Scarratt to win 119th cap at Stadium of Light in fifth World Cup
John Mitchell names unchanged side from 40-6 warm-up win over France
England have named a full-strength side to open their Rugby World Cup campaign against the US on Friday, with Emily Scarratt in line to win her 119th cap off the bench and appear at her fifth World Cup at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.
John Mitchell has named an unchanged XV from the team’s 40-6 win over France in their final warmup game earlier this month. There are no injury concerns for the world No 1s as they start their pursuit of a trophy they are favourites to win in front of a record crowd for an opening game, with 40,000 tickets sold.
Zoe Aldcroft, the captain, starts at blindside flanker, with Sadia Kabeya at openside and Alex Matthews at No 8. Maddie Feaunati is set to make her first World Cup appearance from the bench, while there is no room in the 23 for the former captain Marlie Packer.
