Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025: Alex Matthews to captain England against Australia

England will take on Australia in their last Women’s Rugby World Cup Pool A match on Saturday, 6 September 2025 at the Brighton and Hove Albion Stadium. The match will kick off at 17:00 BST and will be shown live on BBC Two, BBC Radio Sports Extra, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

Alex Matthews to Captain England

With regular skipper Zoe Aldcroft still recovering from a knee injury sustained in the opening win against the United States, Alex Matthews, the Gloucester-Hartpury number eight, will once again lead the team. Aldcroft is expected to return for the knockout stages.

England Already in Quarter-Finals

England have already secured their place in the quarter-finals. Head coach John Mitchell has decided to go with a nearly full-strength team. This comes after England made heavy changes for last week’s big victory over Samoa.

Jess Breach Earns 50th Cap

One of the standout moments will be Jess Breach winning her 50th international cap. She keeps her spot on the wing, while Claudia Moloney-MacDonald misses out.

New Faces and Tactical Changes

• Morwenna Talling, normally a second-row player, will start at flanker.

• Former captain Marlie Packer is not in the matchday squad.

• Holly Aitchison returns from an ankle injury and will make her first tournament appearance off the bench.

England Starting XV vs Australia

Kildunne; Dow, Jones, Heard, Breach; Harrison, Hunt; Botterman, Cokayne, Muir, Galligan, Ward, Talling, Kabeya, Matthews

Replacements: Atkin-Davies, Clifford, Bern, Ives Campion, Feaunati, L Packer, Aitchison, Rowland

The clash with Australia will be crucial for momentum, as both teams look to sharpen up ahead of the knockout rounds.