Chiefs duo selected for Red Roses’ test against Canada

Exeter Chiefs Women’s Maddie Feaunati and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald have been selected to start for the Red Roses against Canada this weekend.

In the first of two WXV Global Series tests to be played on Canadian soil. Feanuati will start at No 8 and Moloney-MacDonald on the wing at the BMO Field in Toronto on Friday night (Saturday midnight BST).

Both will play in front of a record-breaking crowd for women’s rugby in Canada.

England women come into this game in the wake of a win against the Black Ferns at the Allianz Stadium, a draw against Canada at Sandy Park, and another victory over Australia in Manchester in the first raft of WXV games.

Moloney-MacDonald, who has scored four tries in those three Red Roses’ games, said: “There’s obviously different pressure that comes from playing home or away, and on this occasion we’ll both experience the other side of the coin. But we’re pretty experienced with pressure, we enjoy it, and have learnt to thrive under it.

“I’m excited to get on the pitch and show what we can do on the road. We want to keep showing the world what we’re about and bringing people into the game. A record-breaking crowd here in Toronto is another step in that direction.”

In other team news, vice-captain Amy Cokayne is back in the squad. The Sale Sharks hooker missed the home leg of the WXV Global Series due to injury with club teammate Tatyana Heard also named in the starting XV.

Hannah Botterman, of Bristol Bears, and Trailfinders Women’s Abi Burton are the only other alterations to the team that began the last-gasp victory over New Zealand last time out.

Young Bristol Bear Demelza Short features as a replacement for the first time in the WXV Global Series while Loughborough Lightning back-row Sadia Kabeya is in the 23 after missing the match against the Black Ferns.

“The first Test in Exeter gave us a valuable opportunity to test our game under pressure and identify where we can improve,” head coach John Mitchell said.

“As we continue to build towards 2029, our focus is on raising our level, strengthening our connections and continuing to evolve as a team.

“Playing in Toronto presents a different environment and challenge, and we’re excited by the opportunity to express our game, improve our performance and continue to grow as the Red Roses. We’re looking forward to the challenge of the second test.”

For Canada, Asia Hogan-Rochester and captain Sophie de Goede both return to the starting fifteen after missing Canada’s last match against France. After missing the WXV Global Series matches in September due to injury, Alysha Corrigan returns to the starting line-up for the first time since last year’s Rugby World Cup.

Other notable squad changes include former Chief Taylor Perry and current Chief vice-captain Alex Tessier swapping positions, with Perry moving to inside centre and Tessier donning the number 10 jersey for the first time since Canada faced the USA at PAC4 in 2025.

DaLeaka Menin retains her starting spot at tighthead prop with former Chiefs Mikiela Nelson at loosehead and Emily Tuttosi and Gabrielle Senft on the bench.

RED ROSES

15 Ellie Kildunne (Bristol Bears, 65 caps)
14 Jess Breach (Saracens, 59 caps)
13 Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women, 41 caps) - captain
12 Tatyana Heard (Sale Sharks, 37 caps)
11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 43 caps)
10 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 73 caps)
9 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 47 caps)
1 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 65 caps)
2 Amy Cokayne (Sale Sharks, 94 caps) – vice captain
3 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 87 caps)
4 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 32 caps)
5 Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning, 11 caps)
6 Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women, 12 caps)
7 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 84 caps) - vice captain
8 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 30 caps)

Replacements:
16 Bryony Field (Saracens, 3 caps)
17 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 31 caps)
18 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 56 caps)
19 Demelza Short (Bristol Bears, 4 caps)
20 Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 34 caps)
21 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 91 caps)
22 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 54 caps)
23 Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 17 caps)