England tackle Fiji of their opening match of the Ladies’s Rugby World Cup.
England are the favourites to raise the tophy in New Zealand and are anticipated to brush apart the Fijians, after three successive Grand Slams and crushing back-to-back wins in opposition to world champions New Zealand a 12 months in the past.
The Black Ferns, France and Canada are the closest rivals, however England dominate the world rankings and their head coach Simon Middleton lately admitted that something over than victory within the closing can be failure.
England have received all of their previous 24 matches, whereas Fiji have misplaced the one two they’ve performed this 12 months, to Australia and Canada.
Right here is every part it’s essential to know.
When is the match?
England vs Fiji is being performed at Eden Park and kicks off at 4.45am UK time on Saturday morning.
watch
England vs Fiji can be proven stay on TV within the UK by way of ITV 1, and the match could be streamed onlien by way of the ITV Hub.
England squad
Ellie Kildunne; Lydia Thompson, Emily Scarratt, Helena Rowland, Claudia MacDonald; Zoe Harrison, Leanne Infante; Vickii Cornborough, Amy Cokayne, Sarah Bern, Zoe Aldcroft, Abbie Ward, Alex Matthews, Sadia Kabeya, Sarah Hunter (captain).
Who’re England’s star gamers?
Reigning world participant of the 12 months Zoe Aldcroft has been a standout for England’s pack, exhibiting a excessive work charge centred round carrying and tackling. Prop Sarah Bern was devastating within the latest Six Nations the place her tempo and energy in assault reached new heights. Marlie Packer thrives on the breakdown and covers each blade of grass, whereas alongside her within the again row is captain Sarah Hunter who gives 135 caps price of expertise. And there’s firepower behind the scrum the place Emily Scarratt operates as a key element of the assault and wing Abby Dow, who has made a fast restoration from a damaged leg, excels as a try-scoring wing.