Emily Scarratt Set for 100th Start as England Face New Zealand at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium

This Saturday, Twickenham’s newly named Allianz Stadium will host a momentous occasion as England's Emily Scarratt earns her 100th start for the Red Roses in a highly anticipated clash against New Zealand. The milestone match, marking Scarratt as the third England player to reach this achievement after Sarah Hunter and Rochelle Clark, comes as part of England’s final preparations before the upcoming WXV tournament.

The 34-year-old centre, a veteran of the game, has long been a key figure in the England side. After returning from a serious neck injury earlier this year, she now lines up against the reigning world champions in front of an expected 40,000-strong crowd. Her coach, John Mitchell, praised her resilience and commitment, noting that her influence goes beyond the pitch.

“It’s a fantastic achievement and we need those kinds of people in our game. She is an inspiration to the future and now," said Mitchell, who moved Scarratt to inside centre during this year's Six Nations following her return from injury.

Mitchell’s side is making five changes to the starting XV that convincingly beat France 38-19 last weekend in Gloucester. England's front row sees a complete overhaul, with Mackenzie Carson, Lark Atkin-Davies, and Sarah Bern stepping in for Hannah Botterman, Amy Cokayne, and Maud Muir. Abbie Ward returns to the second row, while Helena Rowland moves to the bench.

The fixture against New Zealand is England’s second warm-up match before the WXV and a chance for the Red Roses to showcase their continued dominance. Although New Zealand famously beat England in a heart-stopping World Cup final in 2022, England claimed revenge in last year’s WXV tournament with a victory in Auckland.

New Zealand arrives at Twickenham with a strengthened squad, boosted by the return of Kennedy Tukuafu, Kate Henwood, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, and Ayesha Leti-I'iga from injury. Black Ferns director of rugby Allan Bunting encouraged his team to embrace the challenge of playing at Twickenham.

“We want them to play with freedom and, most importantly, enjoy the occasion and embrace the opportunity to play at Allianz Stadium,” said Bunting.

Scarratt, who has amassed 112 caps, will partner Tatyana Heard in midfield, while England’s backline remains mostly unchanged with Abby Dow, Jess Breach, and Ellie Kildunne continuing to impress. Only Natasha Hunt, Marlie Packer, and Scarratt have experience of facing New Zealand at Twickenham, having played in the Black Ferns' last visit to the venue back in 2012.

Gloucester-Hartpury's Georgia Brock is set to make her debut from the bench, while Maddie Feaunati retains her place in the starting line-up after making her first start last weekend. England captain Marlie Packer and number eight Alex Matthews will lead the back row, forming a formidable unit ahead of the world champions.

The match not only celebrates Scarratt’s exceptional career but also reignites one of the fiercest rivalries in women's rugby. England will be looking to assert their dominance in what promises to be a thrilling spectacle at the home of English rugby.

Line-ups

England: Kildunne; Dow, Scarratt, Heard, Breach; Aitchison, Hunt; Carson, Atkin-Davies, Bern, Aldcroft, Ward, Feaunati, M Packer (capt), Matthews.

Replacements: Cokayne, Botterman, Muir, Talling, Brock, L Packer, Harrison, Rowland.

New Zealand: Viliko, Ponsonby, Kalounivale, Bremner, Roos, Mikaele-Tu'u, Tukuafu (joint capt), Olsen-Baker, Joseph, King, Vahaakolo, Demant (joint capt), Brunt, Leti-I'iga, Holmes.

Replacements: Lolohea, Henwood, Rule, Vaipulu, Sae, Hohaia, Du Plessis, Tui.