England v France: Flanker Maddie Feaunati makes first international start for Red Roses
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Captain Marlie Packer continues to captain the side from open-side flanker in a back row competed by number eight Alex Matthews.
Saturday is the first of two tough warm-up games for England before the WXV1 tournament in Canada, with world champions New Zealand facing the Red Roses at the newly named ‘Allianz Stadium’ next Saturday.
Victory would make it 14 wins out of their past 14 games against France in all competitions.
“I don’t believe in friendlies,” Mitchell added.
“WXV isn’t won until October so we are keen to play and at the end of the day we want a challenge so we have picked France and New Zealand.
“France are always unpredictable and a great attacking side.”
Centre Rowland impressed in England’s opening Six Nations victory over Italy before missing the rest of the campaign through injury.
The 24-year-old joins Tatyana Heard in a midfield which will be keen to unleash the exciting back three of Ellie Kildunne, Abby Dow and Jess Breach.
The trio has scored a combined 18 tries in their last five matches together.
England Under-20 captain and second row Lilli Ives Campion is set to make her senior debut from the bench, while fly-half Zoe Harrison could make her 50th appearance if she comes on.
“She [Ives Campion] is one of our future locks with strong leadership skills and good communication skills, and she is starting to mature physically,” the New Zealander added.
“I saw the emotion in her heart when I said to her last week that she would be in the 23. She got emotional and I wasn’t ready to share too much more as it was getting to her heart.
“I said ‘go call mum and dad, we can catch up on the rugby later’.”
Replacement prop Sarah Bern returns to international rugby after missing the Six Nations because of injury.
A third of Mitchell’s starting team will be playing at home, with scrum-half Natasha Hunt, prop Maud Muir, second row Zoe Aldcroft, number eight Matthews and centre Heard all playing their club rugby for Gloucester-Hartpury.
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