England have freshened up their side for their second Women’s World Cup pool stage clash with Samoa with John Mitchell making 13 changes for the clash in Northampton.
Only centre Meg Jones and wing Jess Breach retain their places from the win over the United States in Sunderland with Mitchell long having planned to rotate across the first two rounds.
The Red Roses are boosted by the return from injury of Helena Rowland and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald - the former showcases her versatility by starting at fly half having featured on the wing during England’s warm-up win over Spain, while the latter joins Breach and Emma Sing in the back three.
Marlie Packer skippers the side from flanker with Zoe Aldcroft set to miss the rest of the group stage with a knee injury. Packer was replaced in the role of captain by her fellow forward at the start of the year but the 2014 World Cup winner insists that England’s leadership group remains strong and a tight unit.
“[Vice-captain Meg Jones] and I have massively stepped up this week. We've been there to support Zoe in whatever she needs, but she's also been doing the same for us in training," Packer said.
"Me, her and Meg caught up after the session for a couple of little bits on how we want to be perceived. We look at each other as equals, but Zoe gets the nod for the game day."
There are World Cup debuts for lock Lilli Ives Campion and back row Abi Burton, and it will be a proud day for Maddie Feaunati, too, as the No 8 features against the nation for which dad Zak won his 13 international caps.
“It has been in our planning to give everyone game time over the first two pool matches and, bar Holly, we’ve been able to execute that with this selection,” Mitchell said, with only the injured fly half Holly Aitchison yet to feature but on track to face Australia.
"We could have taken the chance on Holly this week, but we chose not to because we wanted to get her through full training."
England will be expected to win well at Franklin’s Gardens with Samoa, made up largely of part-time players with several experiencing their first trips to England, heavily beaten by Australia in their opening pool fixture.
Mitchell has spoken repeatedly of the need to have depth during this World Cup and will hope that some of those on the fringes can impress and perhaps force his hand for selection going forward.
A 69-7 win over the USA represented a fine start to the tournament, with England concluding their Pool A efforts against Australia in Brighton next weekend.
England XV to face Samoa in Northampton (Saturday 30 August, 5pm BST): 1 Kelsey Clifford, 2 Lark Atkin-Davies, 3 Sarah Bern; 4 Lilli Ives Campion, 5 Rosie Galligan; 6 Abi Burton, 7 Marlie Packer (capt.), 8 Maddie Feaunati; 9 Lucy Packer, 10 Helena Rowland; 11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, 12 Jade Shekells, 13 Meg Jones, 14 Jess Breach; 15 Emma Sing.
Replacements: 16 May Campbell, 17 Mackenzie Carson, 18 Maud Muir, 19 Morwenna Talling, 20 Sadia Kabeya; 21 Natasha Hunt, 22 Zoe Harrison, 23 Ellie Kildunne.
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