Red Roses Make Four Changes for Canada Test — SkimNews
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- John Mitchell has made four changes to England's Red Roses starting XV for the WXV Global Series Test against Canada in Toronto on Saturday, bringing in hooker Amy Cokayne, centre Tatyana Heard, loosehead prop Hannah Botterman and back-row Abi Burton.
- Helena Rowland, Bryony Field and Mackenzie Carson drop to the replacements bench, with flanker Sadia Kabeya returning from a leg injury and 20-year-old Bristol Bears forward Demelza Short earning her first WXV replacement spot.
- Marlie Packer misses England's North American tour ahead of partner Rosie Galligan giving birth, with Lucy Packer retained at scrum-half.
- Mitchell framed the rotation as part of building towards 2029, saying the Exeter draw 'gave us a valuable opportunity to test our game under pressure and identify where we can improve.'
- The Red Roses follow a 26-26 draw with Canada and a final-play try win over New Zealand at Twickenham, with further Tests scheduled in Ottawa on October 23 and against the USA in New Jersey on October 30.
- The second Test in Toronto will be played in front of a record crowd for a standalone women's rugby match in North America, according to the source.
Why it matters: Mitchell is rotating a squad that drew 26-26 with Canada in Exeter last month and needed a final-play try to beat New Zealand, with the source noting the build is towards 2029 — and the Toronto Test is set to draw a record North American crowd for a standalone women's rugby match.
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