England head coach John Mitchell was completely satisfied to be flawed in regards to the size of Marlie Packer’s ban for final weekend’s purple card, however might be with out three key gamers for his or her World Cup opener.
Packer sparked fears about her availability for the primary fixture of England’s house World Cup towards United States on August 22 after she was despatched off in a 97-7 win over Spain for a slipshod clearout on the left leg of full-back Claudia Pena.
Mitchell anticipated a two-week suspension, which might have dominated former captain Packer out of the USA conflict on the Stadium of Mild in Sunderland, however she’s going to solely miss Saturday’s last warm-up fixture away to France after World Rugby handed out a one-match ban.
“Yeah, good end result wasn’t it? It beat my concept of two weeks, so yeah, fairly good. We’re very completely satisfied for Marlie,” Mitchell stated, with World Participant of the Yr Ellie Kildunne match sufficient to start out towards France.
“However that’s executed and dusted. That’s gone, that’s fish and chip paper, so we’re onto the following.”
England’s immediate focus is a trip to Stade Guy Boniface to take on old foes France and they will again be missing experienced trio centre Emily Scarratt, wing Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and fly-half Holly Aitchison.
Mitchell revealed Scarratt, who is ready to function in a record-equalling fifth World Cup, is unavailable following a head damage evaluation (HIA).
Requested if they might be match for England’s World Cup opener with USA, Mitchell cryptically replied: “For the event, sure.”
A complete of 11 modifications have been made to the England XV which dismantled Spain by a report rating.
Zoe Harrison continues at fly-half, Jess Breach and Megan Jones once more get the nod at left wing and outdoors centre respectively, whereas Abbie Ward once more begins within the second row and captain Zoe Aldcroft returns at blindside flanker.
Full-back Kildunne will make her first look since a leg damage dominated her out of England’s last Six Nations fixture towards France in April.
“She is prepared like everybody else,” Mitchell insisted.
“There are 11 ladies who’re beginning for the primary time since we’ve been making ready ourselves going into the event. She is just like the others, eager as mustard and we’re trying ahead to getting began.”
England held on to say a 43-42 win over France at Twickenham in April to seal one other Grand Slam and captain Aldcroft acknowledged they need to keep their stranglehold over their rivals.
Aldcroft stated: “They’re clearly a formidable opponent, but it surely’s essential we’re on our high sport.
“I feel that’s the reason this weekend goes to be so essential, simply to get that psychological edge and we need to put out a superb efficiency and preserve our dominance there.”
