Feaunati looking to make “one more memory” at Rugby World Cup final

Exeter Chiefs Women’s back-row Maddie Feaunati will play in the Rugby World Cup final for the Red Roses on Saturday.

She has been selected to make an impact off the bench as England face the world’s number two team Canada.

Feaunati said: “I’ve made so many memories throughout this tournament and it’s not over yet. The bonds we have made as a squad have been incredibly special, and they will last with me for a long, long time.

“Having a home World Cup has meant we have been closer than ever to the supporters who have backed us immensely from Sunderland down to Brighton across to Bristol and across social media too.

“It’s an experience I’ve relished but we have one more memory to make as a group.”

Red Roses head coach John Mitchell has named an unchanged 23 for Saturday’s final (KO 16:00).

It means World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year nominee Megan Jones and six-try wing Jess Breach have been named in the starting XV for every match of the tournament.

Ellie Kildunne continues at full-back after earning player-of-the-match on her return to the team with two tries in the semi-final, while Abby Dow completes the back three on the right wing.

Tatyana Heard lines-up at inside centre with Natasha Hunt and Zoe Harrison partnering in the half-back positions.

Captain Zoe Aldcroft takes to the field from blindside flanker accompanied in the back row by 2014 winner Alex Matthews and the tournament’s top tackler, Sadia Kabeya (89).

Lock Morwenna Talling, who is second on England’s tackle stats (67), partners number one line-out stealer Abbie Ward in the second row. Loosehead prop Hannah Botterman made three turnovers against France and remains in the front row alongside hooker Amy Cokayne and tighthead prop Maud Muir.

Mitchell said: “Our staff and players have worked hard to reach this stage of the tournament. Playing a World Cup final at Allianz Stadium in front of a record 82,000 is a significant milestone for the sport.

“We are well prepared for the challenge against Canada. It is number one versus number two in the world, and we know the contest will demand a full 80 minutes. Our focus remains on staying in our process and executing effectively.”

The Black Ferns and France will offer a tasty curtain-raiser when they play for third place at 12:30. Exeter Chiefs Women's prop Amy Rule will start the game on the bench for New Zealand.

Red Roses

15 Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 56 caps)
14 Abby Dow (Unattached, 58 caps)
13 Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women, 32 caps)
12 Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 35 caps)
11 Jess Breach (Saracens, 52 caps)
10 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 64 caps)
9 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 86 caps)
1 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 61 caps)
2 Amy Cokayne (Sale Sharks, 88 caps)
3 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 47 caps)
4 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 27 caps)
5 Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 80 caps)
6 Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 68 caps) - captain
7 Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 27 caps)
8 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 80 caps)

Replacements:
16 Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 73 caps)
17 Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 20 caps)
18 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 78 caps)
19 Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 30 caps)
20 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 22 caps)
21 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 38 caps)
22 Holly Aitchison (Sale Sharks, 43 caps)
23 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 45 caps)