The USA host England in the opening match of what promises to be a WXV Global Series blockbuster final weekend. That match in New Jersey will be followed by New Zealand’s bid to complete a clean sweep of four wins over France, before Japan host Wales and South Africa take on Ireland.
USA v England
England, world champions and the number one-ranked side in women’s rugby, look to bounce back from two defeats in a row against Canada as the North American leg of their WXV Global Series ends against unbeaten USA in New Jersey.
Veteran loose-head prop Hope Rogers - nine points from setting a new USA Eagles scoring record - returns to the home side’s starting line-up after a powerful performance off the bench against Italy last week, as part of a pack that dominated proceedings, scoring all eight of the USA’s tries.
Rogers is one of just two changes to the Eagles’ run-on side. The other is scrum-half Abigail Paton who will link up with Nina Mason to direct the USA attack in their toughest WXV challenge to date.
England have made six changes in the starting line-up, with scrum-half Flo Robinson making her international debut after impressing off the bench against Canada, alongside fly-half Holly Aitchison, who comes in for Zoe Harrison.
Claudia Moloney-MacDonald returns to the wing, while centre Tatyana Heard completes the changes in the back line. Club team-mates Mackenzie Carson and Maud Muir come into the front row, either side of Amy Cokayne.
USA (15-9; 1-8): Ashley Cowdrey; Bulou Mataitoga, Emily Henrich, Bella Vogel, Alev Kelter; Nina Mason, Abigail Paton; Hope Rogers, Kathryn Treder, Keia Mae Sagapolu-Senele; Hallie Taufoou, Rachel Ehrecke; Hann Humphreys, Georgie Perris-Redding (co-capt), Freda Tafuna. Replacements: Paige Stathopoulos, Lauryn Carlton, Mona Tupou, Erica Jarrell-Searcy (co-capt), Kapoina Bailey, Kate Zackary, Cass Bargell, Tessa Hann.
England: Emma Sing; Mia Venner, Meg Jones (capt), Tatyana Heard, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald; Holly Aitcheson, Flo Robinson; Mackenzie Carson, Amy Cokayne, Maud Muir; Morwenna Talling, Lilli Ives Campion; Abi Burton, Sadia Kabeya, Maddie Feaunati. Replacements: Bryony Field, Hannah Botterman, Sarah Bern, Demelza Short, Alex Matthews, Natasha Hunt, Zoe Harrison, Ellie Kildunne.
New Zealand v France
Match preview to follow
New Zealand (15-9; 1-8): xxxx
France: xxx
Japan v Wales
Match preview to follow
Japan (15-9; 1-8): xxx
Wales: xxx
South Africa v Ireland
Match preview to follow
South Africa (15-9; 1-8): xxx
Ireland: xxxx