Field Earns First England Start Against Canada in WXV Global Series
By Grant FeeleyBryony Field will make her inaugural start for England at hooker in the WXV Global Series clash against Canada, a significant development following her try-scoring debut off the bench against Australia last weekend.
This upcoming match at Sandy Park in Exeter on Saturday rekindles a familiar rivalry, with England having defeated Canada in last year’s World Cup final. The Red Roses anticipate a stern test from a Canadian side they have faced numerous times before in international rugby news.
Field Steps Up Amidst Hooker Absences
Field's promotion to the starting XV addresses several key absences within the England squad, as reported by BBC Rugby Union. Regular hooker Amy Cokayne is currently sidelined with an injury, while Connie Powell is in recovery from surgery. Additionally, Lark Atkin-Davies recently became a mother, creating further depth challenges in the position.
Her first Test try against Australia, secured at the back of a driven maul in the 48-15 victory, demonstrated her immediate impact. Field, a product of Huddersfield RFC, was cheered on by young girls from her former club during that match in Salford.
Field will anchor a new-look front row alongside Maud Muir and Hannah Botterman. This trio previously contributed as replacements last weekend, helping to shift momentum in England’s favor against the Wallaroos.
Squad Rotations and Emerging Rivalries
Beyond the front row, England head coach John Mitchell has also introduced a new half-back pairing, with Lucy Packer at scrum-half and Zoe Harrison at fly-half. Jess Breach and Alex Matthews also return to the squad after recovering from injuries. In total, 14 players from the current squad were part of the matchday 23 that secured England's landmark world-title win against Canada.
Mitchell emphasized the importance of this rivalry. "You need rivalries in our sport and our rivalry with Canada is one that has evolved to a great level," Mitchell stated, according to BBC Rugby Union. He anticipates a different challenge than the one presented by Australia, expecting his team to elevate their performance.
England's historical dominance over Canada is notable; they have won 34 of their 38 encounters, including the last 14 consecutive matches. Canada's most recent victory against England was a 52-17 win in Salt Lake City back in 2016.
WXV Global Series Schedule and Global Context
Following their match against Canada, England will face their closest rivals in the world rankings, New Zealand, at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium on Saturday, September 26. The Red Roses' WXV Global Series campaign extends into October, with further matches against Canada scheduled for Toronto and Ottawa. The series will conclude for England with a meeting against the United States in New Jersey, providing critical preparation and competition for teams with an eye on the next World Cup.
The WXV Global Series is designed to provide high-quality international competition for women's rugby, offering a crucial platform for development and ranking adjustments. While England and Canada prepare for their top-tier WXV 1 clash, other nations are competing across the WXV tiers. For instance, in the WXV Global Series Challenger (WXV 3), there was a notable contest in the first round. Las Leonas, the Argentine national team, came close to securing a significant win over Fijiana. However, Fijiana mounted a remarkable comeback to claim a 38-32 victory, a result highlighted by RugbyPass. This demonstrates the competitive nature across all levels of the WXV series and the broader context of international rugby news.