Women’s Rugby World Cup: England v Australia

England will secure their place as winners of Pool A as long as they avoid defeat against the Wallaroos, a team they have beaten in all seven of their previous meetings.

The teams’ most recent encounter was the Red Roses’ 42-7 win in WXV in October 2023.

Australia, who drew 31-31 against the United States in their last game, would book their place in the last eight with a bonus point.

If they fail to do so, they will hope the 135-point difference between them and the USA is not wiped out by a combination of a handsome Eagles win over Samoa and a comprehensive England victory.

“We want to build on our opening matches of the tournament and finish the pool stage with a good performance,” said Mitchell.

“Brighton has been a great host for us this week. It’s a new venue for the Red Roses, one that has a history of World Cup magic. We’re excited to see thousands of our supporters come down to the south coast and get behind the girls.”

England: Kildunne; Dow, Jones, Heard, Breach; Harrison, Hunt; Botterman, Cokayne, Muir, Galligan, Ward, Talling, Kabeya, Matthews

Replacements: Atkin-Davies, Clifford, Bern, Ives Campion, Feaunati, L Packer, Aitchison, Rowland

A hat-trick of tries against Samoa last weekend took Breach’s tally for England up to 52, and she will pass another half-century milestone when she wins her 50th cap against Australia.

Having begun her career at nearby Pulborough RFC, the 27-year-old is assured a warm reception on the south coast.

Breach’s top-end speed and finishing ability have always been evident. She scored six tries on her debut against Canada in 2017, and followed that with another five on her second Test appearance.

However, having returned to fitness following a serious hip injury, she made only two appearances in England’s Women’s Six Nations campaign earlier this year, with Abby Dow and Moloney-MacDonald emerging as Mitchell’s preferred wings.

However, with Moloney-MacDonald suffering injury problems of her own in the build-up to the World Cup, Breach is now one of only two England players – along with centre Meg Jones – to start every pool game.

With Aldcroft unavailable, England could have tapped into deep reserves of specialist back row options to fill the gap.

Instead the versatile Talling has been asked to reprise a role she last filled for England during last year’s victory in WXV in Canada.

As well as overlooking Marlie Packer’s experience, Maddie Feaunati is kept as an impact option off the bench, rather than a starter.

Matthews, nominated as World Player of the Year twice in the past three years and a veteran of England’s 2014 World Cup win, has plenty of leadership experience.

However, England will be keen to have Aldcroft’s influence back for a probable quarter-final meeting with the losers of Canada and Scotland’s match earlier on Saturday.