Debutant Holly fills Scarratt void in midfield

By SAM JACKSON

PREVIEW…

England v New Zealand

Today. Kick-off 2.30pm, Sandy Park, Exeter

HOLLY Aitchison has big boots to fill today as she makes her England debut in place of injured star Emily Scarratt's at outside centre against the world champion Black Ferns.

Sevens player Aitchison, – part of Team GB at Tokyo 2020 – is given the daunting task of replacing England's marquee player Scarratt who broke her leg in September.

England head coach Simon Middleton said: “Holly has probably been our best trainer this week. She's a really good talent, probably one of the young starlets, but has had a lot of injuries.

“The sevens series did her a power of good and she has played fantastically well at Saracens.”

England – the number one ranked side in the world – face second-ranked New Zealand at Sandy Park before a rematch at Franklin's Gardens next Sunday. Tests against Canada and the USA complete their schedule, all live on BBC Two.

Middleton added: “The number one ranked side in the world against the reigning champions is an exciting prospect.

“We're really starting to see some of our youngsters mature into fine players and this autumn series is a great opportunity for them to stake a claim for the World Cup.”

Sarah Hunter captains the side from No.8 in her 127th test, with inside centre Amber Reed vicecaptain in the absence of Scarratt, right.

Zoe Harrison starts at fly-half, with Claudia Mac- Donald at nine 20-year-old forward Maud Muir is poised to make her debut off the bench.

With prolific try-scorer Jess Breach injured, Lydia Thompson starts on the right wing and Abby Dow on the left. Prop Sarah Bern returns to the front row after missing most of the 2020-21 season throughinjury and fellow tighthead Shaunagh Brown is left out of the squad as Muir is preferred on the bench.

Hannah Botterman will start at loosehead, while moves to lock from the back row and Zoe Aldcroft takes her place at flanker Both teams will wear special mouthguards containing monitors to measure the impact of of a study.