England name side for Australia in WXV Global Series opener
Tatyana Heard and Natasha Hunt return from injury, while Holly Aitchison is set to earn her 50th international cap.
England have named their team to face Australia on Saturday at CorpAcq Stadium in the opening home match of the inaugural WXV Global Series.
As reported by Sky Sports, head coach John Mitchell has made five changes from the side that beat France in May to secure England’s fifth consecutive Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam.
World Cup winners Tatyana Heard and Natasha Hunt return from injury at centre and scrum-half respectively. Holly Aitchison is selected at fly-half and is due to win her 50th international cap.
May Campbell comes in at hooker, while Mia Venner joins Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and Ellie Kildunne in the back three. Hannah Botterman and Morwenna Talling are available again and named among the replacements.
Saracens prop Kelsey Clifford will miss the WXV series with a hamstring injury. Liz Crake has replaced her in the squad.
The 2026 series includes 12 nations and has no promotion or relegation during the 2026–2028 cycle. England will next face Canada on 19 September and New Zealand on 26 September before touring Canada and the United States in October.
