England keep faith with matchday 23 for Rugby World Cup final against Canada

England have stuck with the same match-day squad that defeated France to take on Canada in the Rugby World Cup final on Saturday at Twickenham.

It’s the first time this tournament that the England head coach, John Mitchell, has not made any changes to his team. The decision means Jess Breach, who is the Red Roses’ top tryscorer with six, and World Rugby player of the year nominee Meg Jones are the only two players to start every game of the World Cup for England.

Ellie Kildunne, who was player of the match in the 35-17 semi-final defeat of France last weekend, resumes at full-back with Abby Dow completing the back three on the right wing.

Zoe Harrison links up again with Natasha Hunt at half-back with Jones and Tatyana Heard forming the centre partnership.

The front row is made up of Hannah Botterman, Amy Cokayne and Maud Muir. Abbie Ward and Morwenna Talling start in the second row, while the captain Zoe Aldcroft, Sadia Kabeya and Alex Matthews make up the back row.

Matthews and Hunt are the only players in the matchday 23 who were involved in the 2014 World Cup win, the last time England won the World Cup in a defeat of Canada in Paris.

Mitchell said: “Our staff and players have worked hard to reach this stage of the tournament.

“Playing a World Cup final at Allianz Stadium in front of a record 82,000 is a significant milestone for the sport.

“We are well prepared for the challenge against Canada. It is number one versus number two in the world, and we know the contest will demand a full 80 minutes. Our focus remains on staying in our process and executing effectively.”

England lost both the two previous finals to New Zealand, while Canada will be aiming to win the trophy for the first time.

England Kildunne; Dow, Jones, Heard, Breach; Harrison, Hunt; Botterman, Cokayne, Muir, Talling, Ward, Aldcroft, Kabeya, Matthews. Replacements Atkin-Davies, Clifford, Bern, Galligan, Feaunati, L Packer, Aitchison, Rowland.