England come up against their trickiest opponents of the Women’s Rugby World Cup so far when they face Australia in Brighton on Saturday.
The Red Roses converge on the Amex Stadium to take on the Wallaroos in their final match of Pool A.
The hosts have already qualified for the knockout stages with huge wins over the United States and Samoa, but the level of opposition will go up significantly when the Aussies roll into town.
Joanne Yapp’s side thrashed Samoa in their opener before a draw with the US in York last time out.
They know that they need a win on the Sussex coast to top the group.
John Mitchell’s team are full of confidence and many of his stars are well-rested ahead of Saturday’s big game.
Ellie Kildunne, who sparkled in the opener against the US, did not feature at all against Samoa.
Jess Breach, one of the only survivors as Mitchell rang the changes, eclipsed 50 international tries in a 92-3 victory.
England vs Australia date, kick-off time and venue
England vs Australia takes place today on Saturday, September 6, 2025, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm BST.
The match will be played at the Amex Stadium in Falmer, just outside Brighton.
How to watch England vs Australia
TV channel: Viewers in the UK can watch this game for free on BBC Two. Coverage from the Amex Stadium will begin at 4.35pm ahead of a 5pm kick off.
Live stream: Those with a valid TV licence will be able to stream the game on BBC iPlayer or the BBC Sport website.
Live blog: Alternatively, you can follow all the action on Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert insight and analysis from Arthur Ferridge.
England vs Australia team news
Mitchell went big with the changes against Samoa as he looked to give his second-string side and fringe players some minutes.
But now, he has gone back to full strength.
Kildunne is back in at 15, while Abby Dow and Breach, winning her 50th cap, complete the back three.
In Zoe Aldcroft’s absence with a knee injury, Alex Matthews will captain the side from No8.
There are 13 changes from the rotated team that beat Samoa last weekend.
Marlie Packer has not made the matchday squad, while natural lock Morwenna Talling is positioned as a flanker.
Holly Aitchison returns from injury for a place on the bench.
England vs Australia lineups
England XV: 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
Australia XV: Halse, Stewart, Pomare, Friedrichs, Miller, Moleka, Wood, Palu, Marsters, Duck, Leonard, Learney, Karpani, Talakai, Kavoa
Replacements: Naden, Pohiva, O’Gorman, Codey, Chancellor, Tuinakauvadra, Hinds, Smith
England vs Australia head to head (h2h)
England have only played Australia twice, winning in 2022 and 2023.
They defeated the Wallaroos at the World Cup back in 2022, and at WXV1 two years ago.
England vs Australia prediction
It won’t be as easy as the last two games, but the Red Roses will surely fancy their chances here.
They will have been filled with confidence seeing the US hold the Aussies to a draw in York, and they will be buoyed by the return of their stars for this one.
England to win by forty points.
England vs Australia match odds
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
