England name six changes for USA clash as Robinson gets first start
Web StoryWatch this story in 15 seconds →Key takeaways
- England play the USA on Friday, October 30, in New Jersey. Kick-off is 9:15 pm UK time.
- Coach John Mitchell made six changes to his starting team. Flo Robinson earns her first start.
- England want to end two straight losses. The USA have won their last five games.
England head coach John Mitchell has made six changes to his team. The Red Roses face the USA on Friday night. Kick-off is 9:15 pm UK time in New Jersey.
The game is the last match of the WXV Global Series for England. Fans can watch it live on BBC iPlayer and the England Rugby YouTube channel.
The biggest news is a first start for Flo Robinson. The scrum-half plays for Exeter Chiefs. She won her first England cap in the 2025 Women's Six Nations.
She played well as a replacement against Canada last week. Now she gets her chance from the start.
A scrum-half is the player who feeds the ball into the scrum. She also links the forwards and backs. It is a key role.
What happened
Mitchell has shaken up his side after two losses to Canada. England lost both games in a row. Sky Sports reports this is the first time in a decade that has happened.
The losses ended a 41-game unbeaten run. That run lasted four years.
Mitchell said he wants to refresh the group. He wants to give young players a chance. He also wants to build depth, which means having good back-up players in every position.
Holly Aitchison comes in at fly-half. Zoe Harrison moves to the bench.
The fly-half is the main playmaker. She decides how the team attacks.
Claudia Moloney-MacDonald returns on the wing. Tatyana Heard returns at inside centre. In the pack, Mackenzie Carson and Maud Muir start in the front row.
Both play for Gloucester-Hartpury. The front row is the group of three forwards at the front of the scrum.
Meg Jones will captain the team from outside centre. Amy Cokayne is the vice captain and starts at hooker.
Ellie Kildunne stays on the bench again. Kildunne was named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2024. Emma Sing keeps her place at full-back instead.
Kildunne did not start either Canada game. She was a key part of England's 2025 World Cup win.
The full team is: Emma Sing, Mia Venner, Meg Jones (captain), Tatyana Heard, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, Holly Aitchison, Flo Robinson, Mackenzie Carson, Amy Cokayne, Maud Muir, Morwenna Talling, Lilli Ives Campion, Abi Burton, Sadia Kabeya and Maddie Feaunati.
The bench is: Bryony Field, Hannah Botterman, Sarah Bern, Demelza Short, Alex Matthews, Natasha Hunt, Zoe Harrison and Ellie Kildunne. Sky Sports published the team on October 28.
Why it matters
This game matters for two reasons. First, England need a win. Losing two games in a row hurt, and a third loss would be a real problem.
Second, Mitchell is planning for the future. He knows the 41-game unbeaten run had to end one day.
RugbyPass reports he told his players not to let one Test define them. A Test is a full international match.
Mitchell took over when England were already winning. He led them to the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup title.
This year, injuries and player absences gave him a chance to try young players. This game is England's 11th Test of 2026.
England have no Test match for six months after Friday. Their next Tests are in the Women's Six Nations. Mitchell called this his chance to start the next phase well.
Mitchell said: "Our intent is to start this next phase strongly against the USA." He added that the staff will rotate positions to refresh the group and build depth.
The USA are not an easy team. They have won their last five games in a row. Their forward Freda Tafuna scored seven tries in her last four matches.
A try is worth five points. England know she is a big threat.
For more international rugby action, see our All Blacks beat the Wallabies in Sydney and our rugby league world cup guide.
What happens next
Friday's game kicks off at 9:15 pm UK time. That is 5:15 pm local time in New Jersey.
If England win, the mood will lift. Young players like Robinson will gain confidence.
If England lose a third game in a row, the questions will grow louder. Mitchell said he is fine with some experiments failing. He called it a good time to try things.
After this game, the Red Roses take a long break from Tests. Their next matches are in the Women's Six Nations.
England's 2027 home fixtures start in April. The schedule lists Scotland on April 17 and Italy on April 24. England Rugby published the full fixture list.
Mitchell will use the next six months to plan. Young players will return to their clubs.
The race for 2029 World Cup places has already started. Friday night is the first step of that race. Six changes, one first start, one clear goal: start the next phase with a win.
Related stories
Why Is Altitude Sickness Worse for Some People?
Altitude sickness hits some people harder because of genetics, ascent speed, and prior history, not fitness level. Here is what raises risk
Why Do You Get Blisters When Hiking and How to Prevent Them
Friction plus moisture plus heat equals a blister. Learn why hiking breeds all three, and the boots, socks, and tape system that keeps
How to choose hiking boots for beginners: fit, features, and break-in
Beginners should buy for fit first: snug everywhere, tight nowhere, with a thumb's width at the toes. Here is how to size, test,