MARLIE Packer will make her full World Cup debut tomorrow against Spain having been named as one of 12 changes to England’s starting XV.
The former Yeovil College student and Ivel Barbarian came off the bench after 50 minutes of Friday’s campaign curtain-raiser against Samoa in France.
The defeated 2010 finalists ran in ten tries in a comprehensive 65-3 triumph at Marcoussis, flanker Packer replacing Worcester’s Heather Fisher in the second half.
Wasps Ladies’ Packer will now get her chance from the first whistle of their second pool game that kicks off at 2.45pm BST at seven.
Lichfield’s Sarah Hunter will captain the side as head coach Gary Street chooses to rotate his 26-woman squad for the tournament which will see England contest five games in just 16 days.
Hunter moves to flanker with Richmond’s Alexandra Matthews making her first start for England since July 2013 and her World Cup debut.
There is also a new front row with Claire Purdy, Victoria Fleetwood and Sophie Hemming starting whilst Rebecca Essex gets her first WRWC starts in the pack.
In the backs, scrum-half La Toya Mason has been named as vice-captain and she teams up with Ceri Large at fly-half with Katy Mclean rested. Amber Reed and Claire Allan form a new centre partnership for this game.
Street said: “Because of the schedule of the World Cup it’s key that we rotate our players. Having a game every four days is hugely physically and mentally demanding so our strategy is to rotate the squad and keep the players fresh.
“Rotating the squad means Sarah Hunter is captain for this game and she brings a wealth of knowledge to the role.
“This is a very different looking team to the squad that defeated Samoa but there are still 575 caps shared between our starting XVs so this is by no means an inexperienced team. We have got the depth so we are going to use it.
“It is exciting to bring back Alex Matthews who has been out for a while with injury. She has been outstanding in our training camps over the last couple of months. Alex is a dynamic ball carrier and gives us another huge physical presence in the backrow.â€
England boast a 9-0 winning record over Spain and the two sides last met in the 2012 European Cup and England won that contest 61-0. Spain, meanwhile, opened their Rugby World Cup account with a 31-5 defeat to Canada.
Street added: “Apart from a shaky 20 minutes against Canada in their opening World Cup game, I thought they played some excellent rugby.
“They have some strong ball carrying forwards and some quick athletic backs from the Sevens programme. After one defeat they are going to be fighting all out for a spot in the knockout stages.â€Â
Women"s Rugby World Cup: Wasps" Marlie Packer one of 12 England changes ...
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