Fiji v England: live score and latest updates from Women’s Rugby World Cup

Good morning and welcome to Auckland as England get their Rugby World Cup campaign underway against Fiji.    Few teams in world sport have been as dominant as this Red Roses side have been in recent seasons and they come into this tournament as heavy favourites. 

That status brings its own level of pressure however and head coach Simon Middleton will be keen to see his side produce a clinical display today against what is admittedly a fairly weak Fiji outfit.

Sadia Kabeya, who has just four caps to her name, starts this one after only coming out of Covid-19 enforced isolation on Tuesday. The 20-year-old gets the nod from Middleton after 2014 World Cup winner Marlie Packer, was ruled out with a foot injury.  Winger Abby Dow, who suffered a broken leg in April’s Six Nations, has made remarkable progress with her recovery and is named among the substitutes for the game at Eden Park in Auckland.

Captain Sarah Hunter will marshal the side from number eight, while the backs will be helped by the assuring presence of experienced outside centre and vice captain, Emily Scarratt.

Head coach Simon Middleton said: “We’ve selected an experienced matchday 23 who we feel are in a good position to get our campaign off to a strong start. We know we could have selected any of the wider squad and there are nine players this week with a key supporting role.

“It’s a privilege to come up against a team in their first-ever World Cup match. We know they have talented players and we’re looking forward to the challenge. 

“I’m really pleased with the group effort in training and we can’t wait to get started at an iconic venue in Eden Park on Saturday.”