Feaunati back in the starting line-up for WXV test against the Black Ferns

Exeter Chiefs Women’s back-row Maddie Feaunati has been selected to start at No 8 for the Red Roses as they take on the Black Ferns this Saturday (KO 15:00).

This means she will come up against players from the country she grew up in as England head into their third WXV Global Series game at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. She will collect her 30th cap along the way.

Exeter Chiefs head coach Oli Bishop said: “It’s great to see that Maddie is starting again at No 8 after a hugely impressive performance from the bench at Sandy Park against Canada, showing her physical capabilities and what she can bring to the international stage. She has been training extremely well in England camp and fully deserves another opportunity to start the game.

“Playing the Black Ferns is always a special occasion for the vast majority of people, but, obviously for Maddie, having the added impact that it is the country she grew up in. I am sure that will just heighten her game. I am hugely excited to see what she can bring at the weekend. Best of luck to our girls who are playing.”

Winger Claudia Moloney-MacDonald will also start for England after scoring two tries against Canada at Sandy Park last weekend.

Meanwhile, prop Maisie Davies has a starting berth for Wales for a second week in a row as they take on the USA Eagles at Cardiff Arms Park, also on Saturday (KO 15:00).

To complete the Saturday rugby line-up, winger Katie Buchanan will start Scotland’s game against Australia on the bench at the Hive Stadium (KO 16:10) and fellow winger Francesca Granzotto will also be looking to make an impact as a replacement as Italy face South Africa at the Stadio Omero Tognon in Pordenone (KO 13:30 BST).

In the WXV Global Series Challenger tournament, the Netherlands will be looking to build on their first two victories as they face Fiji in Hong Kong.

Chiefs Women’s #1 player and Netherlands captain Linde van der Velden has switched from No 8 to lock for this game.

She said: “We're very proud of what we've accomplished so far. It truly replicates all the hard work we’ve been putting in. Now the focus is on the coming weekend, and we look forward to taking on this challenge.”