Feaunati returns as England brace for Black Ferns onslaught

Maddie Feaunati returns to bring big-game experience and dynamism to the back row as England take on a resurgent New Zealand, their closest challengers at the top of the world rankings, in front of more than 50,000 fans at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

Feaunati comes in at number eight, with Alex Matthews shifting to blind-side flanker and Abi Burton to the bench.

The three starters all featured in England's Women's Rugby World Cup final win against Canada, one year ago on Sunday.

England, whose 39-match winning streak was halted by a 26-26 draw against Canada last weekend, make their other changes in the front row.

Props Mackenzie Carson and Sarah Bern come in to start with Hannah Botterman and Maud Muir poised to add power off the bench.

Bryony Field, whose involvement in the international set-up before this autumn was limited to age-grade appearances half a decade ago, retains her place at starting hooker ahead of May Campbell.

Amy Cokayne and Connie Powell are both missing through injury, while Lark Atkin Davies has only recently given birth.

England's backline remains unchanged with Helena Rowland at inside centre and Jess Breach, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and Ellie Kildunne making up the back three.

Natasha Hunt, Tatyana Heard and Emma Sing are the specialist backs on the bench.

"We're moving forward in the right direction whilst building depth in our cover," said head coach John Mitchell.

"New Zealand are playing good rugby at the moment and it's no surprise to see them raise their standards.

"Test matches against the best teams in the world are what we relish and look forward to, especially at Allianz Stadium."

New Zealand were the last team to beat the Red Roses, upsetting the tournament favourites in the final of the previous Women's Rugby World Cup in November 2022.

England have won the teams' three meetings since - most recently running out 49-31 winners in October 2024 - but the Black Ferns have won all seven Tests they have played this year under new coach Whitney Hansen.

"Our players are built different, we're made for these moments," said Hansen, who is the daughter of former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.

"We've continued to grow each week and we're excited to put our rugby identity to the test against England, who are currently number one in the world. "

Among Hansen's selection is wing Ayesha Leti-I'iga, who scored two tries in her team's World Cup final win over England, and teenage full-back Braxton Sorensen-McGee, who was one of the stars of the 2025 tournament.

England; Kildunne; Breach, Jones (capt), Rowland, Moloney-MacDonald; Harrison, L Packer; Carson, Field, Bern, Talling, Ives Campion, Matthews, Kabeya, Feaunati

Replacements: Campbell, Botterman, Muir, Burton, Packer, Hunt, Heard, Sing

New Zealand: Sorensen-McGee; Paul, Brunt, Du Plessis, Leti-I'iga; H King, Joseph; Viliko, Ponsonby, Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Roos, Bayfield, Mikaele-Tu'u, E-P King, Olsen-Baker

Replacements: Lolohea, Robinson, Taumata, Vaipulu, Sae, Turner, McGregor, Saili