Saturday's Women's Rugby World Cup Pool A clash between England and Australia has all the makings of a classic, with history, high stakes, and individual brilliance on display at Brighton and Hove Albion Stadium. The Red Roses, England's formidable women's rugby team, are poised to chase a record-equalling 30th consecutive victory, while the Wallaroos, led by a blend of youth and experience, aim to upset the odds and secure their place in the quarter-finals.
England enter the encounter brimming with confidence. Under head coach John Mitchell, the Red Roses have stormed through the group stage, notching emphatic wins over the United States and Samoa. Their dominance has already secured them a spot in the quarter-finals, but this match offers more than just a chance to top Pool A. A win would see England match their own world record of 30 consecutive victories—the same number they had amassed before falling in the 2022 World Cup final. That memory lingers, serving as both a warning and a motivator.
Mitchell has opted for a strong lineup, despite the safety net of qualification. England will be without injured captain Zoe Aldcroft, who is being carefully managed after a knee injury in their opening match. In her absence, number eight Alex Matthews steps up as captain, while Morwenna Talling shifts to the back row to fill the void at six. The potent back three of Ellie Kildunne, Abby Dow, and Jess Breach remains intact, a unit that has collectively scored an astonishing 143 tries in 158 Tests. Breach, who has overcome a serious hip injury, is set to earn her 50th cap and has already crossed the whitewash five times in this tournament alone.
Holly Aitchison, the creative fly-half, is available from the bench after recovering from an ankle injury, offering Mitchell another weapon as the match unfolds. England’s replacements bench also features experienced names like Lark Atkin-Davies and Helena Rowland, ensuring depth across the park.
The Red Roses’ approach is anything but complacent. As centre Tatyana Heard explained, "I wouldn’t say anything we do ever gets boring. There is so much competition within training, within matches, regardless of scorelines we are always trying to perform at our best and put our best foot forward. There’s also selection that comes into place, every single individual that pulls on a shirt they want to perform. I don’t think that people think about the fact that something we do might be boring, we have the best job in the world. We are just trying to enjoy ourselves and trying to be the best we can be."
Heard also singled out Abby Dow, who stands on the cusp of her 50th international try: "She is one of the best finishers in the world, if not the best. She’s incredible, if you give her the ball you know she is likely to finish it or at least make a lot of metres." Dow’s finishing prowess could prove crucial against a Wallaroos side fighting for their tournament lives.
Australia, coached by former England international Jo Yapp, face a far more precarious scenario. Their dramatic 31-31 draw with the United States last weekend left their quarter-final hopes hanging in the balance. The Wallaroos need to secure at least a bonus point—either by scoring four tries or staying within seven points of England—to guarantee progression. Failing that, their fate could hinge on the result of the earlier USA vs Samoa fixture, with a significant points difference swing still in play.
Yapp, who will conclude her near two-year spell in charge of the Wallaroos at the end of the tournament, has made several changes to her lineup. Siokapesi Palu returns to captain the side from number eight, while Emily Chancellor, last week’s co-captain, shifts to the bench. The front row is refreshed with Adiana Talakai at hooker and Lydia Kavoa and Asoiva Karpani promoted to starting roles. Ashley Marsters and Trilleen Pomare also earn starts, adding further dynamism to the Australian pack and midfield.
Yet, much of the spotlight falls on the Wallaroos’ young sensation Caitlyn Halse. At just 18, Halse is the youngest Australian ever to appear at a Women's Rugby World Cup and has been directly involved in more tries than any other player at this year’s tournament—scoring four and assisting three. Her two-try performance in the draw with the USA showcased her electric pace and game-breaking ability. Halse’s admiration for All Black great Christian Cullen has shaped her style, and she’ll be hoping to emulate her hero’s elusive running against an England side coached by none other than John Mitchell—the man who once controversially dropped Cullen from the New Zealand squad.
Halse is under no illusions about the challenge ahead. "England's back three are definitely very quick," she admitted. "Our defence is pretty good and I'll have my wings chasing back and helping out, but when they break the line it's fight or flight." The Wallaroos will also look to wing Desiree Miller, who has scored five tries in the tournament, including a hat-trick against Samoa, to provide further firepower.
The match’s narrative is enriched by the personal histories on both sides. Jo Yapp, Australia’s coach, is an England legend who previously captained her nation to a World Cup final in 2006 and has coached many current Red Roses. England’s defence coach Sarah Hunter praised Yapp’s influence: "Jo Yapp is an excellent coach in her own right in everything she has done over here in England. You look at some of our players now, they have come through her tutorage. She will know where the threats are."
For Australia, the odds are daunting. England have won all seven previous meetings between the sides, and bookmakers have installed the Wallaroos as 80-1 outsiders. Yet, as back-row Piper Duck noted, the Wallaroos are embracing the underdog tag: "We have been preparing the entire World Cup for this game. Leading into this game, everyone says it, pressure is a privilege. You play rugby to compete, we train to compete at the highest level. To be given the opportunity to come against England, the world’s best right now, and to create that upset and be that underdog, I am really excited for it."
There’s a sense of history in the air, too. The Amex Stadium in Brighton was the site of one of rugby’s greatest upsets, when Japan stunned South Africa in the men’s 2015 World Cup. Australia will draw inspiration from that famous result as they seek to write their own chapter.
With Pool A permutations in play and knockout dreams on the line, Saturday’s contest promises drama from start to finish. England look to maintain their relentless momentum and reach new heights, while Australia hope to defy precedent and keep their campaign alive. Whatever the outcome, one thing’s for sure: this is no ordinary pool match—it’s a statement game for both sides, and fans can expect nothing less than full-throttle rugby in Brighton.
