The final round of the Women’s Rugby World Cup is getting underway this weekend, with Pool A’s fights being particularly high pressure, as they fight for the final spot in the knockout rounds.
England have already qualified for the quarterfinals next week, but after a 31 - 31 draw between Australia and the USA last week, there is still one more Pool A spot to be filled.
The decision will come down to points difference - meaning that for the Wallaroos, this is the most important game yet as they battle to make it through to the quarterfinals.
England will be keen to continue their 29 strong streak of unbeaten games, which would allow them to cement their spot as top of Pool A.
The two nations last faced each other in 2023, with England coming away with a 42 - 7 victory.
The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides as the match draws nearer.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
England vs. Australia starting XV, team news.
The Red Roses have already booked their places at the quarter-finals next week, after two massive wins over the USA and Samoa. However, they will be looking to make this a hat-trick of wins in order to secure their spot at the top of Pool A.
Their starting XV has returned to the squad that faced the USA two weeks ago, following John Mitchell’s model of two near-separate squads that he used to great success in the most recent Guinness Women’s Six Nations.
Ellie Kildunne, World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year 2024, is back at full back, after she proved why she has that title with a series of beautiful tries and assists against the USA.
Hannah Botterman, who was also a standout player that match, is back in the front row with her prop partner Maud Muir - an unforgiving combination that is sure to raise alarm bells in the Australian side.
Legendary fly-half Zoe Harrison, renowned for her command of the pitch and her exacting boot, has also retaken her place in the starting XV.
The backs are stacked with players that have already made a real impact in the World Cup, with Jess Breach, Natasha Hunt, Abby Dow and Megan Jones all having scored at least one try during the tournament so far.
The forwards have a similar story, with Maud Muir, Amy Cockayne, Hannah Botterman and Sadia Kabeyaall also scoring over the last two matches.
England starting XV:
15 - Kildunne, 14 - Dow, 13 - Jones, 12 - Heard, 11 - Breach, 10 - Harrison, 9 - Hunt, 1 - Botterman, 2 - Cockayne, 3 - Muir, 4 - Galligan, 5 - Ward, 6 - Talling, 7 - Kabeya, 8 - Matthews (c)
Full England squad
Forwards: Zoe Aldcroft (captain), Lark Atkin-Davies, Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman, Abi Burton, May Campbell, Mackenzie Carson, Kelsey Clifford, Amy Cokayne, Maddie Feaunati, Rosie Galligan, Lilli Ives Campion, Sadia Kabeya, Alex Matthews, Maud Muir, Marlie Packer, Morwenna Talling, Abbie Ward
Backs: Holly Aitchison, Jess Breach, Abby Dow, Zoe Harrison, Tatyana Heard, Natasha Hunt) Megan Jones, Ellie Kildunne, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, Lucy Packer, Helena Rowland, Emily Scarratt, Jade Shekells, Emma Sing.
Injured: none
Suspended: none
Australia will be gearing up for the match of their campaign, as they not only need to earn their spot in the quarterfinals but need to clock up those points against world number one’s England.
The Wallaroos have been an impressive side thus far, dominating their game against their Pacific neighbours Samoa with their speed, aggression, and offensive set pieces.
However, their game against the USA, where they led the first half before ending the match 31 apiece, highlighted that they still faced some handling errors, and seemed to tire by the 60 minute marks - mistakes that they can’t afford to be making against the Red Roses.
Desirée Miller and Caitlyn Halse, despite their young ages of 21 and 18 respectively, have established them as crucial to Australia’s attack this tournament, and both feature again in the starting XV.
Piper Duck, who took some fantastic plays in the Wallaroo’s match against the USA, also remains at blind-side flanker, alongside lock pair Kaitlan Leaney and Michaela Leonard.
However, Australia’s forwards have changed quite drastically ahead of facing the Red Roses, with Lydia Kavoa, Adiana Talakai and Asoiva Karpani taking up position in the front row.
Australia starting XV:
15 - Halse, 14 - Stewart, 13 - Friedrichs, 12 - Pomare, 11 - Miller, 10 - Moleka, 9 - Wood, 1 - Kavoa, 2 - Talakai, 3 - Karpani, 4 - Leaney, 5 - Leonard, 6 - Duck, 7 - Marsters, 8 - Palu (c)
15 - Halse, 14 - Steward, 13 - Friedrichs, 12 - Smith, 11 - Miller, 10 - Moleka, 9 - Wood, 1 - Pohiva, 2 - Naden, 3 - O’Gorman, 4 - Leaney, 5 - Leonard, 6 - Duck, 7 - Chancellor, 8 - Tuinakauvadra
Full Australia squad
Forwards: Katalina Amosa, Bree-Anna Browne, Annabelle Codey, Emily Chancellor, Piper Duck, Ashley Fernandez, Brianna Hoy, Asoiva Karpani, Lydia Kavoa, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Ashley Marsters, Tania Naden, Bridie O'Gorman, Siokapesi Palu (captain), Faliki Pohiva, Adiana Talakai, Tabua Tuinakauvadra.
Backs: Lori Cramer, Waiaria Ellis, Georgina Friedrichs, Caitlyn Halse, Tia Hinds, Desiree Miller, Faitala Moleka, Manu'a Moleka, Layne Morgan, Trilleen Pomare, Cecilia Smith, Maya Stewart, Caitlin Urwin, Samantha Wood
Injured: none
Suspended: none
England vs Australia score predictions
Australia will be putting in all on the line in this match as their last bid to be a part of the quarter-finals - but England will be a tough opposition, especially as they’ll be keen to secure their top spot in Pool A. Either way, it will truly be an electric game to watch.
Score Prediction: England 45 - 27 Australia
How to watch England vs Australia: Live stream, TV channel
All of the Women’s World Cup matches will be broadcast live on the BBC and on England Rugby’s YouTube. England versus Australia will take place Saturday, September 6, at 17:00 GMT.
Rugby news and related content
- Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 updates: who is already through to the quarterfinals?
- What happened this week at the Women’s Rugby World Cup? Pool A results, key moments, standout players and more from second round of group stages
- How is England harnessing the power of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025? Everything you need to know about Impact 25