Rowland came off the bench and on to the wing in the Grand Slam decider against France in April, but will make her first Test start in the position against Spain
Rugby World Cup warm-up: England v Spain
Venue: Mattioli Woods Welford Road Date: Saturday, 2 August Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Coverage: Live on BBC iPlayer and website with live text commentary on the website and app
Head coach John Mitchell has lauded Helena Rowland as “probably the most valuable person” within the England squad vying for World Cup glory.
Saturday’s warm-up fixture against Spain will mark the versatile back’s 40th Test cap, and notably, her inaugural start on the wing.
Having previously showcased her talents at fly-half, centre, and full-back, Rowland has also been entrusted by Mitchell to provide cover at scrum-half for the upcoming tournament.
The 25-year-old made two appearances off the bench on the wing during the Red Roses’ Six Nations campaign earlier this year.
With Natasha Hunt and Lucy Packer the only specialist scrum-halves in Mitchell’s World Cup squad, Claudia Moloney-McDonald – who has recently targeted a wing position – has been utilized as a back-up.
However, in light of a minor leg injury sustained by Moloney-McDonald, Rowland has expanded her skill set by undertaking training at scrum-half.
“Helena is ‘Miss Versatility’ – capable at full-back, wing, centre, 10, and potentially as a fourth nine,” Mitchell stated. “She possesses the skillset required to fulfill that role.”
“A 32-player squad presents challenges in its composition, necessitating versatility. We are fortunate to have such adaptability within our ranks, a quality not all sides possess.”
“Helena is arguably the most valuable asset to the team. She is an exceptional rugby player, and I am constantly considering where I can best utilize her talents.”
England recognizes the critical importance of depth and adaptability in key positions, lessons learned from their 2022 Rugby World Cup campaign.
A late alteration was necessitated before the final against New Zealand due to an injury sustained by first-choice scrum-half Leanne Infante. Packer, herself recovering from a foot complaint, was inserted into the starting line-up on the morning of the game, which England ultimately lost 34-31.
In preparation for the upcoming tournament on home soil, Mitchell has also afforded flanker Abi Burton her first Test start against Spain in the Leicester encounter.
The 25-year-old has admirably fought her way back to the highest level after spending more than three weeks in an induced coma in 2022 while receiving treatment for autoimmune encephalitis.
Burton came off the bench to score twice in the Red Roses’ win over Wales in the Six Nations in March
The former sevens player’s previous two appearances for the Red Roses came off the bench in this year’s Six Nations campaign.
England has implemented nine changes from the starting line-up that triumphed over France in their Grand Slam decider in April, with several key players granted rest against Las Leonas.
Inside centre Jade Shekells and second row Lilli Ives Campion, both with two caps, are provided an opportunity to solidify their positions, while Packer starts at scrum-half, with Hunt named on the bench.
Open-side flanker Marlie Packer will captain the side on her 111th cap, with Exeter Chiefs’ Maddie Feaunati shifting to number eight and Burton completing the back row.
Jess Breach and full-back Emma Sing complete the back three alongside Rowland.
Having initially been named to start, Rosie Galligan is replaced by Abbie Ward to help her recovery from a shoulder problem.
Similarly, centre Tatyana Heard has a spot on the bench after Holly Aitchison reported a slight ankle issue.
“I am not going to play anyone injured,” said Mitchell. “The tournament hasn’t even started.”
Zoe Aldcroft, Sadia Kabeya and Abby Dow are also among the replacements.
England’s meeting with Spain, ranked 13th in the world, is the first of two warm-up matches before the World Cup.
They will also face France next weekend in Mont-de-Marsan, where Mitchell is likely to field something close to a first-choice team.
England’s formidable strength in depth – with players honed in their world-leading PWR competition – could prove key to how they fare in this campaign.
They take on the United States in the tournament opener in Sunderland on 22 August.
England: Sing; Rowland, Jones, Shekells, Breach; Harrison, L Packer; Clifford, Atkin-Davies, Bern, Ward, Campion, Burton, M Packer (capt) Feaunati.
Replacements: Campbell, Botterman, Muir, Aldcroft, Kabeya, Hunt, Heard, Dow
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