Zoe Aldcroft will return to captain England for their Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Scotland on Sunday after missing the final two group games through injury.

Aldcroft sustained a knee niggle in the 69-7 win over USA in the tournament opener on August 22 and subsequently sat out the 92-3 rout of Samoa in week two and last Saturday’s 47-7 victory over Australia that clinched top spot in Pool A.

However, the 28-year-old is back at blindside flanker for the hosts and title favourites in one of four changes made by head coach John Mitchell for the fixture at Bristol’s Ashton Gate (4pm kick-off).

Helena Rowland is at full-back in place of Ellie Kildunne, who was forced off with a head injury in the second half against Australia and must now abide by concussion protocols.

Holly Aitchison makes her first start of the tournament at fly-half with Zoe Harrison moving to the bench, while Kelsey Clifford is rewarded for a brace of tries as a replacement last weekend with a start at loosehead prop instead of Hannah Botterman.

Botterman left the field after 25 minutes against the Wallarroos due to a muscle spasm in her back.

Aldcroft’s return at No 6 means Morwenna Talling switches to the second row and Abbie Ward shifts to the replacements.

Dominant Red Roses on brink of more history

The Red Roses are on a 30-match winning streak and will break their own record for successive victories in the international game if they see off Scotland and reach the semi-finals.

England have won 25 matches in a row against Scotland since losing to them in the 1999 Women’s European Championship, while their overall record against their opponents is 32 victories in 34 games.

The most recent meeting came in the 2025 Six Nations when the Red Roses secured a 59-7 victory in Leicester – Abby Dow and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald scoring two tries each.

Scotland have made the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time since 2002 after finishing second in Pool B following wins over Wales and Fiji and defeat to Canada.

Mitchell: England ready for exciting challenge

England coach Mitchell said: “The first stage of the tournament is behind us, and now we enter a new stage of the competition that has an end point.

“We are adapting well to different situations, and while we recognise Scotland have improved, we will still believe we can build pressure on them. This is an exciting challenge that we’re ready for.

“We trust our girls to be consistent, take ownership of their roles, embrace the occasion, and earn the right to another week in this competition.

“The enthusiasm surrounding the tournament has been incredible, with support growing across the country. We know Bristol will be no different, and the girls are relishing the opportunity to rise to the occasion.”

Red Roses squad to face Scotland

Starting XV: 15 Helena Rowland, 14 Abby Dow, 13 Megan Jones, 12 Tatyana Heard, 11 Jess Breach, 10 Holly Aitchison, 9 Natasha Hunt; 1 Kelsey Clifford, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Maud Muir, 4 Morwenna Talling, 5 Rosie Galligan, 6 Zoe Aldcroft (captain), 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Alex Matthews.

Replacements: 16 Lark Atkin-Davies, 17 Mackenzie Carson, 18 Sarah Bern, 19 Abbie Ward, 20 Maddie Feaunati, 21 Lucy Packer, 22 Zoe Harrison, 23 Emma Sing.

England’s World Cup results so far

Scotland’s World Cup results so far

Women’s World Cup – remaining fixtures

Quarter-finals

• September 13: New Zealand vs South Africa (Exeter) – 1pm
• September 13: Canada vs Australia (Bristol) – 4pm
• September 14: France vs Ireland (Exeter) – 1pm
• September 14: England vs Scotland (Bristol) – 4pm

Semi-finals

• September 19: New Zealand/South Africa vs Canada/Australia (Bristol) – 7pm
• September 20: France/Ireland vs England/Scotland (Bristol) – 3.30pm

Bronze final

• September 27: TBC vs TBC (Twickenham) – 12.30pm

Final

• September 27: TBC vs TBC (Twickenham) – 4pm