Feaunati earns first start for Red Roses

Maddie Feaunati will earn her first international start when the Red Roses take on France at Gloucester’s Kingsholm Stadium on Saturday 7th September (KO 14:00).

The 22-year-old made five appearances in the 2024 Guinness Women’s Six Nations, including the Grand Slam-winning encounter against the French back in April.

Of the 15 that started that day in Bordeaux, Head Coach John Mitchell has selected 13 in starting positions once again. Injured duo Sadia Kabeya and Megan Jones have been replaced by Feaunati and Helena Rowland.

“We’re excited to get started after the girls being outstanding in raising their standards and growing their resilience in pre-season,” head coach Mitchell said.

“The girls just want to play, and we have chosen to host world class opponents for us to be challenged and to improve our game heading into WXV and an exciting 2025.”

Chiefs Women's head coach Susie Appleby said: "I am really proud to see Maddie get her first start for the Red Roses in a big game against France. It's a great opportunity for her to show all the hard work she has been putting in over the summer and since she has been here."

Red Roses team to play France

15 Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 43 caps)
14 Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women, 45 caps)
13 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 29 caps)
12 Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 22 caps)
11 Jess Breach (Saracens, 38 caps)
10 Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 30 caps)
9 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 72 caps)
1 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 47 caps)
2 Amy Cokayne (Leicester Tigers, 74 caps)
3 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 30 caps)
4 Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 53 caps)
5 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 13 caps)
6 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 5 caps)
7 Marlie Packer (Saracens, 104 caps) – captain
8 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 67 caps)

Replacements

16 Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 57 caps)
17 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 15 caps)
18 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 61 caps)
19 Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning, uncapped)
20 Poppy Cleall (Saracens, 65 caps)
21 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 21 caps)
22 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 49 caps)
23 Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 111 caps)