Player-by-player verdict on starting XV

By England prop Sarah Bern

15. ELLIE KILDUNNE HARLEQUINS

Ellie has really started to own that full-back shirt. She is incredibly quick and arguably England’s most evasive back, able to worm her way out of impossible tackles. It must be a nightmare defending against her.

14. ABBY DOW EALING TRAILFINDERS

Abby Dow, Abby Wow. One of the most lethal backs in the women’s game. Abby likes to keep a low profile, which does not always happen given the number of tries she scores. She is mesmeric to watch.

13. HELENA ROWLAND LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING

She could run it from behind or she might kick it, side-step or chip and chase. She has been nailing it at fly-half for Loughborough, so it will be exciting to see how she goes in England’s midfield.

12. EMILY SCARRATT LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING

After 14 months out of the game with a serious neck injury, I am so happy to see her back. She has spent most of her career at outside centre, but she is so talented the transition to inside should be seamless.

11. JESS BREACH SARACENS

Nicknamed “The Jess Express” because of the way she steams through defences. Speed has always been her superstrength. She loves getting her hands on the ball and, with her out-and-out pace, she is great at running support lines.

10. ZOE HARRISON SARACENS

She has a few matches for Saracens under her belt after missing most of last season with a knee injury. Intrigued to see how the fly-half duties are delegated between her and Holly Aitchison. The precision in kicking game is next level.

9. LUCY PACKER HARLEQUINS

One of the best sniping scrum-halves. Lucy is doing so well, and has really grown into that nine position. During WXV she was instrumental in helping England evolve their back-line attack.