Red Roses cruise to dominant victory over United States in final WXV game
· Yahoo Sports
United States 12 England 55
English rugby chiefs have been on a charm offensive in the United States this week, but the players on the pitch opted for more of a brute-force approach.
The Red Roses were in the unfamiliar position of coming off the back of successive defeats and Meg Jones had called on her team to respond. They certainly did that, looking far more like world champions than they have over the past fortnight with a convincing nine-try win – four of them scored by Claudia Moloney-MacDonald – albeit there is still room for them to “grow”, as Jones put it after the game.
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That is what the Rugby Football Union have been trying to do off the field. Bill Sweeney, the RFU chief executive, and his colleagues used this fixture in New Jersey as an opportunity to tap into the US market by “creating connections” with business leaders and potential investors.
It is little wonder English rugby is trying to get a piece of the American pie. There are an ever-growing number of US owners in British football and with the States hosting the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups in 2031 and 2033 interest in the oval-ball game is sure to grow too, although the crowd in New Jersey would suggest there is work to do on that front.
England were back to winning ways in North America - Getty Images/Caean CoutoThose potential investors at the Sports Illustrated Stadium may not have enjoyed seeing their national team so convincingly beaten, but they will surely have recognised the talent of those wearing white.
England fell short of the high standards they are known for in those defeats by Canada – their first back-to-back losses in a decade – but there were marked improvements against the US. Yes, there were still a few defensive frailties and they will be disappointed by their ill-discipline at times, but their attacking play looked far slicker.
In part, that was because the US did not close down the Red Roses as effectively as their Canadian counterparts, but the visitors’ handling was far sharper than it has been on this away leg of the WXV Global Series.
Holly Aitchison, who replaced Zoe Harrison at fly-half in one of six changes made by John Mitchell for this Test, showed what a classy distributor she is. First came a floated pass out to Moloney-MacDonald to dive over for the opening try inside five minutes. Then, as England switched the attack from right to left, there was a pinpoint long pass to the same winger to run in her second.
Flying over ☄️Moloney-MacDonald notches the first points right in the corner 👏#USAvENG | #WXV | #WXVGlobal https://t.co/pdqDtmuoKd
— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) October 30, 2026
There were deft hands, too, for England’s third try as the backs ran a set play from a line-out in the 22: Emma Sing, popping the ball to captain Meg Jones to score the easiest of tries.
The finishing touch 💅#USAvENG | #WXV | #WXVGlobal https://t.co/xJvsn95Pn9
— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) October 30, 2026
The forwards got in on the act as well. Mackenzie Carson releasing Maud Muir for a stand-out run at the start of the second half that led to Moloney-MacDonald’s third try and she quickly scored her fourth after another long pass from Jones.
Maud Muir impressed with a strong run - Getty Images/Caean CoutoMoloney-MacDonald was dropped after the first defeat by Canada in Toronto having dropped the ball over the line in the opening minutes but she made amends here.
The US had come into this match on the back of five straight wins and they did have a few stand-out moments. Alev Kelter was uncompromising in her tackles – she seemed to be on a personal mission to beast Jones – and Hope Rogers’ first-half try epitomised the grit of their forwards.
But they still lack the all-court game to compete with the Red Roses, who wrapped up this victory with fourtries in the last quarter from Mia Venner, Bryony Field (on her 26th birthday), Maddie Feaunati and Sadia Kabeya.
The Red Roses have shown what investment can deliver on the pitch; the RFU will now be hoping this performance will bring some US dollars into the English game.
Match details
Scoring sequence 0-5 Moloney-MacDonald try, 0-10 Moloney-MacDonald try, 5-10 Rogers try, 7-10 Vogel con, 7-15 Jones try, 7-17 Sing con, 7-22 Moloney-MacDonald try, 7-27 Moloney-MacDonald try, 7-32 Venner try, 7-34 Sing con, 7-39 Field try, 7-41 Harrison con, 7-46 Feaunati try, 7-48 Harrison con, 7-53 Kabeya try, 7-55 Harrison con, 12-55 Zackary try, 14-55 Vogel con
United States A Cowdrey; B Mataitoga, E Henrich, B Vogel, A Kelter; N Mason (T Hann 56), A Paton; H Rogers (L Carlton 61), K Treder, KM Sagapolu-Senele (M Tupou 61), H Taufoou, R Ehrecke (E Jarrell-Searcy 56), H Humphreys , G Perris-Redding (captain, K Zackary 70), F Tafuna (K Bailey 56)
Sin-bin: Tupou 68
England E Sing (E Kildunne 61); M Venner, M Jones (captain), T Heard (Z Harrison 61), C Moloney-MacDonald; H Aitchison, F Robinson (N Hunt 57); M Carson (H Botterman 49), A Cokayne (B Field 64), M Muir (S Bern 49), M Talling, L Ives Campion, A Burton, S Kabeya, M Feaunati (A Matthews 27-37).
Referee Zoe Naudé (South Africa)
Red Roses’ WXV games
HOME:
September 12: England 48 Australia 15
September 19: England 26 Canada 26
September 26: England 26 New Zealand 19
AWAY:
October 17: Canada 24 England 21
October 24: Canada 31 England 22
Today: United States 12 England 55
England captain Meg Jones
11:16pm“First of all credit to the USA. They are building and growing the game. For us we wanted to control the game and impose ourselves on them. Off the back of two losses we wanted to learn, we will continue to learn. We have got so much feedback from this tour. I know there is so much more growth in this team and we are hungry to get better.”
USA co-captain Georgie Perris-Redding
11:13pm“I thought we were in it first half. I was so proud of the girls and I was confident coming into this one. You see the streak we have been on and we have been building. I am so proud of the growth this team has made and today’s result does not take away what this team has achieved. I want to say thank you to our home fans who showed up today. We have the best fans. Being at home has been incredible.”
Post-match thoughts of player of the match Claudia Moloney-MacDonald
11:10pm“We had three really tough games against Canada. The last two weeks did not go the way we wanted them to but for us it was about learning as much as we could from those performances. We spoke about being fearless tonight and that is exactly what we did. We attacked it from minute one to 80. It is what the Red Roses is all about.”
Full time
That is the final act of the game and England close out a 55-12 victory in New Jersey. Is that the start of another long winning streak for the Red Roses? That is the final game for England in 2026, with their next game coming away against Wales in the Six Nations in April.
11:09pmTriesTRY! Zackary gets consolation for USA
The hosts finish the game with their second try of the night. Their rolling maul, with nearly every player involved, nearly got to the line but a few phases later they do get across the whitewash through Zackary. The conversion is missed.
11:06pm79 mins: USA 7 England 55
As we tick into the final minute, England are penalised just outside their 22, allowing the US to kick towards the corner for one final chance of a try.
11:05pm78 mins: USA 7 England 55
The US are back up to 15 as Tupou returns from her time in the bin.
11:04pmTriesTRY! Kabeya powers England past 50
The Red Roses were denied going past 50 points moments ago but this time they will not be. Jones and Venner were both brought down just shy of the try line but Kabeya powers over from close range. Harrison adds the extras.
11:02pm76 mins: USA 7 England 48
England thought they had gone past the 50-point mark with a fine try from Bern but the try is disallowed as the pass to Bern from Botterman is adjudged to have been forward. Bern will be gutted as that was a fine finish from the prop.
10:55pmTries • VideoTRY! Feaunati fires over for England
The Red Roses are running riot now in New Jersey. Just outside the US 22, Aitchison fires a lovely no-look pass into the hands of Feaunati to put the England number eight racing through a gap. There is no stopping Feaunati as she races to the US line. The easy conversion is added.
10:53pmTries • VideoFeaunati bursts clear ⚡️#USAvENG | #WXV | #WXVGlobal https://t.co/asZiJgTk7x
— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) October 30, 2026
TRY! Field rolls over for England’s seventh
The Red Roses’ replacement hooker has literally only just come on to replace Cokayne and scores straight away, rolling over at the back of the England maul. The extras are added.
10:52pmHappy birthday Bryony Field 🥳That is some way to celebrate as she makes an instant impact 🙌#USAvENG | #WXV | #WXVGlobal https://t.co/IJNpmQ3YGQ
— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) October 30, 2026
67 mins: USA 7 England 34
Here comes the yellow card. USA’S scrum folds again under huge pressure and England have a penalty advantage. They shift it out to the right wing, where Moloney-MacDonald is bundled into touch just shy of the line. We go back for the penalty and replacement US tighthead prop Tupou is sent to the bin. England this time do not go for the scrum and instead put it into the corner.
10:49pm66 mins: USA 7 England 34
Another dominant scrum from England, which sees them awarded another penalty. The referee’s patience is wearing thin and a yellow card may not be far away.
10:47pm65 mins: USA 7 England 34
England’s pack dominates once more at scrum time, this time on the US 22. The advantage ultimately came to nothing so we go back for the original penalty.
Not a massive surprise to see England opt for the scrum.
US co-captain Perris-Redding, who plays her club rugby at Sale, is being helped from the field.
10:43pm63 mins: USA 7 England 34
That is a hugely dominant scrum from England, who have two new props on the field. That earns England the penalty as the US pack was marched backwards.
As well as bringing Kildunne on, England have also introduced Harrison.
10:42pm61 mins: USA 7 England 34
Kildunne is on for England, which draws big cheers from the crowd in New Jersey.
10:39pmTries • VideoTRY! Venner over in the right corner
She has had to see Moloney-MacDonald go over for four tries tonight and finally Venner gets on the scoresheet as the ball is shipped from left to right and good handling all the way down the line sees Venner go over in the corner. The conversion do not get any easier for Sing but this time she nails it.
10:36pmQuick hands from the Red Roses 😮💨#USAvENG | #WXV | #WXVGlobal https://t.co/9WGWA851cY
— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) October 30, 2026
57 mins: USA 7 England 27
USA enjoy a spell of possession inside the England half and make good progress into the 22 before Botterman comes up with a big turnover for the visitors, winning her side a penalty at the breakdown.
England make a switch at scrum-half as Hunt comes on for Robinson, yet another example of the quality on England’s bench tonight.
10:32pm54 mins: USA 7 England 27
USA are very likely to lose this game but they have got pumped about that moment. Kelter absolutely smashes Jones back in a huge tackle before USA steal possession. That gets the US players and fans fired up. That was probably the loudest ths stadium has been all night.
10:31pm52 mins: USA 7 England 27
USA have possession just inside the England half and are awarded a penalty for a high tackle from Ives Campion. Watching the replay, it looked like a harsh call as Ives Campion was on top of the ball rather than around the neck.
10:28pm50 mins: USA 7 England 27
England are now dipping into their immense resources on the bench with a double prop change as Botterman and Bern enter the fray.
10:25pmTries • VideoTRY! Moloney-MacDonald over for her fourth
What a night the England winger is having in New Jersey! After Kabeya is brought down just shy of the US line, England shift it into the hands of the backs. Jones whips a long pass out to the left wing, where Moloney-MacDonald has the easiest of finishes for her fourth try. Moloney-MacDonald would probably want to play every week in New Jersey. It is another tough conversion for Sing, which she is unable to get.
10:24pmOn repeat 🔁#USAvENG | #WXV | #WXVGlobal https://t.co/ZYoKOKEiHl
— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) October 30, 2026
47 mins: USA 7 England 22
England have a scrum just outside the US 22 and their pack then dominates again at scrum time to win the penalty, which they put into the corner.
England then earn themselves a penalty advantage at the lineout. Eventually, we come back for the original penalty.
Aitchison puts it back into the corner.
10:19pmKey moments • Tries • VideoTRY! Moloney-MacDonald finishes off her hat-trick
What a game it is proving to be for the winger, although she may have done some damage to her right leg in the act of scoring her third try. She owes a lot though to Muir, who carried powerfully from the US 22 to within five metres of the US line before the ball was moved out to the left wing by Aitchison for Moloney-MacDonald to score. Sing cannot convert.
10:19pmWhat a carry from Maud Muir 😤Claudia Moloney-MacDonald is the beneficiary again, going over for her third 👏#USAvENG | #WXV | #WXVGlobal https://t.co/FJkNJv2PXK
— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) October 30, 2026
42 mins: USA 7 England 17
USA loosehead prop Rogers took a knock to her knee right at the end of the first half and looked in some pain but has come back out for this second half.
England win the first penalty of the half, just inside the US half, and opt to take it quickly.
10:16pmSecond half
We are back under way in New Jersey.
10:13pmBench impact
It is safe to say that John Mitchell has plenty of ammunition on his bench, including the likes of Hannah Botterman, Ellie Kildunne, Zoe Harrison and Natasha Hunt. In fact, it is a pretty formidable bench and I would guess that England will dip into their bench fairly quickly into the second half.
10:10pmSome HT stats
Carries: USA 87-42 England
Metres made: 482-313
Tackles made: 54-143
Tackles missed: 8-6
Penalties conceded: 7-3
Handling errors: 2-3
USA have had the better of some of these numbers but what has been costly for them thus far is that penalty count, which has given England good field position.
10:00pmHalf-time
USA are under pressure deep in their own 22 after Venner’s grubber kick ahead but Mason covers across to gain possession.
The hosts then run down the final minute on the clock in this first half before being awarded a penalty, which allows them to kick the ball out to bring the first half to an end.
At the break in New Jersey, England lead by 10.
09:57pm38 mins: USA 7 England 17
Sing makes a great carry to take England into the USA 22 but the hosts force a knock-on from Robinson as she picked up from the base of the ruck.
Kabeya then charges down an attempted clearance kick from Mason but the latter is able to dot down behind her own line. Nearly a disastrous moment for USA.
09:56pm37 mins: USA 7 England 17
Feaunati came off earlier for an HIA but is now back on.
09:52pm33 mins: USA 7 England 17
USA enjoy a lengthy spell of possession inside the England half but England’s defence is standing firm. That forces US fly-half Mason to grubber kick through. It is a real 50:50 between Mason and Sing for the loose ball but the former knocks on.
09:48pmTries • VideoTRY! Jones over for England’s third
England score their third try of the game and it is their captain Jones who gets it. From the lineout inside the US 22, England ship it into the hands of the backs. Aitchison sends Sing through a gap and the full-back looks like she will score but is brought down just shy of the line. Unselfishly, instead of trying to reach out for the line, she instead offloads brilliantly off the deck to find her captain Jones, who scores by the posts. Sing gets her first conversion of the game and England’s lead goes back out to 10 points.
09:48pmThe finishing touch 💅#USAvENG | #WXV | #WXVGlobal https://t.co/xJvsn95Pn9
— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) October 30, 2026
29 mins: USA 7 England 10
England win a penalty inside the US half as Sagapolu is punished for a late tackle on Talling. It was a really stupid, needless act from Sagapolu that allows England to kick into the USA 22.
09:45pm26 mins: USA 7 England 10
England have been forced into a change in the pack as Matthews has replaced Feaunati.
09:43pmKey moments • TriesTRY! Rogers powers over for USA
Her front-row partner was denied just a few minutes ago but the US loosehead prop will not be denied. With a penalty advantage in hand just inches shy of the line, Rogers burrows her way over the line. Vogel adds the extras and there are just three points in this one now.
09:42pm23 mins: USA 0 England 10
England’s discipline is just starting to slip as Ives Campion is penalised just inside her own half. USA take play just inside the England 22.
USA make good progress through the England 22 with a series of strong carries. The hosts are getting closer and closer to the England line and are now just inches shy of the line...
09:37pm19 mins: USA 0 England 10
USA thought they had got on the scoreboard but their joy is short-lived. Treder had gone over at the back of the maul but as the hosts were lining up the conversion, the TMO steps in to show an obstruction at the lineout. No-one spotted it in real time but it is the right call.
09:34pm17 mins: USA 0 England 10
USA enjoy a period of possession inside the England half and now are awarded a penalty as the visitors are caught offside. It was a long period of advantage but the US barely made any ground. The hosts probably would have preferred to have been given the penalty earlier. USA go to the corner.
09:29pmTries • VideoTRY! Moloney-MacDonald at the double
England score their second try and it is Moloney-MacDonald again. England are in possession deep inside the US 22 following the quick tap and Aitchison swings a long pass out to her left to pick out Moloney-MacDonald in space. It is an easy finish for the winger and she has her second try of the game. Like for the first try, Sing is unable to convert.
09:29pmMoloney-MacDonald at the double ✌️#USAvENG | #WXV | #WXVGlobal https://t.co/8HPRgeUQm7
— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) October 30, 2026
12 mins: USA 0 England 5
The US did not need that as they give away a free-kick at the scrum just five metres out from their own line. England take the quick tap...
09:27pm10 mins: USA 0 England 5
The USA defence stands firm as they do well to disrupt the English maul and the ball does not come out so USA are awarded the scrum.
09:26pm9 mins: USA 0 England 5
After a clever dummy, Sing takes England into the US 22. A strong carry then from Muir takes England within 10 metres of the USA line before the visitors are awarded a penalty. Aitchison puts it into the corner.
09:21pmKey moments • Tries • VideoTRY! Moloney-MacDonald puts England in front
The Red Roses strike first in New Jersey. After a series of strong carries from the England forwards to put them within a few metres of the line, England shift it out to the left wing, where Moloney-MacDonald dots down right in the corner. Sing is unable to convert from right on the touchline.
09:21pmFlying over ☄️Moloney-MacDonald notches the first points right in the corner 👏#USAvENG | #WXV | #WXVGlobal https://t.co/pdqDtmuoKd
— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) October 30, 2026
3 mins: USA 0 England 0
The first penalty of the game goes the way of the visitors as the US are penalised for failing to roll away at a breakdown on the USA 10-metre line. Aitchison kicks into the US 22 and England will have a lineout around 10 metres out from the try line.
09:19pm2 mins: USA 0 England 0
It is safe to say the condition of the pitch at Sports Illustrated Stadium, home of the New York Red Bulls, is not the best.
09:16pmKick-off
We are under way in New Jersey. Can England get back on track or can the USA cause a major shock stateside?
09:15pmReminder of the teams
USA starting XV: 15 Ashley Cowdrey, 14 Bulou Mataitoga, 13 Emily Henrich, 12 Bella Vogel, 11 Alev Kelter, 10 Nina Mason, 9 Abigail Paton, 1 Hope Rogers, 2 Kathryn Treder, 3 Keia Mae Sagapolu-Senele, 4 Hallie Taufoou, 5 Rachel Ehrecke, 6 Hann Humphreys, 7 Georgie Perris-Redding (captain), 8 Freda Tafuna.
Replacements: 16 Paige Stathopoulos, 17 Lauryn Carlton, 18 Mona Tupou, 19 Erica Jarrell-Searcy, 20 Kapoina Bailey, 21 Kate Zackary, 22 Cass Bargell, 23 Tess Hann.
England starting XV: 15 Emma Sing, 14 Mia Venner, 13 Megan Jones (captain), 12 Tatyana Heard, 11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, 10 Holly Aitchison, 9 Flo Robinson, 1 Mackenzie Carson, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Maud Muir, 4 Morwenna Talling, 5 Lilli Ives Campion, 6 Abi Burton, 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Maddie Feaunati.
Replacements: 16 Bryony Field, 17 Hannah Botterman, 18 Sarah Bern, 19 Demelza Short, 20 Alex Matthews, 21 Natasha Hunt, 22 Zoe Harrison, 23 Ellie Kildunne.
09:12pmAnthem time
Both sides emerge from the tunnel and it is time for the national anthems in New Jersey. God Save The King followed by The Star Spangled Banner.
09:01pmFlashback to England’s emphatic win over the USA at the World Cup
08:58pmKildunne on the bench
She was one of the stars for England as they won the World Cup on home soil just over a year ago. However, she finds herself on the bench for the second straight week, with Emma Sing given the starting job at full-back. Is that the right call from John Mitchell. You can have your say in the comments section at the bottom of the blog.
08:53pmJohn Mitchell on selecting Flo Robinson at scrum-half
08:46pm“I am looking for a running threat at nine; I just feel we do not threaten enough from nine. Flo possesses that and she also has a very good kicking game and is a great defensive player as well. Your nine and 10 definitely need to be threats. I think we have become a little bit predictable in that area and I really want to look at the threat that Flo brings.”
Pre-match thoughts of John Mitchell
08:40pm“For me, it is really exciting to get the information that we have. I have tried some things as well, and we have been like 60/40 in terms of renewal. We have got a lot of young players going into their 11th Test match for the year, and we have got some outstanding players to come back as well. There are a couple of things I have tried that have not paid off, but it is a good time to try things. I am actually okay with that.
“As a result of what we have experienced, I will find a goal and definitely create a new stimulus in our game and some of our processes. I think we will also create more accountability away from the environment. All those things augur well in terms of where we want to go next.
“The main message is not to let a Test match define you. We have a far greater purpose than losing one Test match or a Test series to a very good rugby nation in Canada. We have a very clear vision. We have also got a very clear philosophy, even though that is not at the standard we require it to be or as fast as it needs to be. What will come from that is the establishment of key behaviours, which will lead to greater accountability among our centrally contracted players and ensure that we continue to grow.”
Five reasons why Red Roses have become beatable
Leaky defence
08:33pmWhile England did well to absorb large amounts of red zone pressure in the first half, it ultimately knackered them. This was particularly pronounced when Canada seamlessly spread the ball to the edges or caught England out with their sparky transition play, calling the Red Roses’ backs into action.
It was perfectly encapsulated by the hosts’ second try, when Lucy Packer, Helena Rowland and Mia Venner all gave chase to Gabby Senft in the build up to Sophie de Goede’s score. None of them laid a glove on either forward.
The problems compounded in the second half when Flo Symonds’s scything run through Emma Sing and Jess Breach was the attacking platform for de Goede’s second, before Savannah Bauder bumped off Sing for Canada’s fifth and final try. It all but confirmed that the vacancy left by retired winger Abby Dow is yet to be filled.
Red Roses’ WXV games
HOME:
September 12: England 48 Australia 15
September 19: England 26 Canada 26
September 26: England 26 New Zealand 19
AWAY:
October 17: Canada 24 England 21
October 24: Canada 31 England 22
Today: United States vs England 9.15pm
Teams
USA starting XV: 15 Ashley Cowdrey, 14 Bulou Mataitoga, 13 Emily Henrich, 12 Bella Vogel, 11 Alev Kelter, 10 Nina Mason, 9 Abigail Paton, 1 Hope Rogers, 2 Kathryn Treder, 3 Keia Mae Sagapolu-Senele, 4 Hallie Taufoou, 5 Rachel Ehrecke, 6 Hann Humphreys, 7 Georgie Perris-Redding (captain), 8 Freda Tafuna.
Replacements: 16 Paige Stathopoulos, 17 Lauryn Carlton, 18 Mona Tupou, 19 Erica Jarrell-Searcy, 20 Kapoina Bailey, 21 Kate Zackary, 22 Cass Bargell, 23 Tess Hann.
England starting XV: 15 Emma Sing, 14 Mia Venner, 13 Megan Jones (captain), 12 Tatyana Heard, 11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, 10 Holly Aitchison, 9 Flo Robinson, 1 Mackenzie Carson, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Maud Muir, 4 Morwenna Talling, 5 Lilli Ives Campion, 6 Abi Burton, 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Maddie Feaunati.
Replacements: 16 Bryony Field, 17 Hannah Botterman, 18 Sarah Bern, 19 Demelza Short, 20 Alex Matthews, 21 Natasha Hunt, 22 Zoe Harrison, 23 Ellie Kildunne.
08:20pmKey momentsHow will Red Roses respond to defeats?
England Women’s WXV campaign comes to an end in New Jersey as they take on the United States in the Red Roses’ final game of 2026. A matter of weeks ago, England were still on their incredible winning streak, which was ended by a draw on home soil against Canada. Since then, the Red Roses have suffered their second straight defeat against Canada, which means that John Mitchell’s side have now lost back-to-back games for the first time in 10 years. England have won just two of their five WXV games during this campaign, which includes two defeats and a draw.
“Our intent is to start this next phase strongly against the USA, with six months until our next Test in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations,” Mitchell said. “We are rotating some positions this week to refresh the group, create opportunities and continue building our depth. Selection is driven by what the team needs against the USA, the behaviours we value and the performance we are preparing to deliver. Everyone has a role, and everyone is accountable for our standards.”
For the first time in his tenure, John Mitchell’s side are under a bit of pressure - PA/David DaviesMitchell has made six changes to his starting XV, with Flo Robinson making her first international start at scrum-half. England duo Zoe Harrison and Megan Jones are among four nominees for World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year award. The winner of that award will be announced following this weekend’s final WXV Global Series matches.
The United States have won back-to-back home games against Italy this month to build up to this final game of the campaign. That followed up wins over Ireland and Wales in September.
“I do not think they [England] are going to try new things,” USA head coach Jack Hanratty said. “I think they are going to put out an incredibly strong team to try and not only show the world that they are, if not number one, they still want to show that they are number one. And to do that would be not only winning a game, but showing dominance in everything. Our job this week is to challenge them. We want to see what aspects of the game have we grown that we can challenge the world’s best? That is our job. I think we have got a bit of an opportunity for a free hit. But I love the fact that we are coming into it with momentum. It is at the end of an eight-week tour, and it is amazing that our meetings are still energetic and our training sessions are still actually of quality.”
Kick-off from New Jersey is at 9.15pm GMT.
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