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Red Roses ring changes after back-to-back defeats to Canada
Holly Aitchison starts at fly half for England (PA)

England head coach John Mitchell has installed a new half-back combination as the Red Roses look to bounce back from consecutive defeats to Canada.

Flo Robinson will make her first international start at scrum half and partner Holly Aitchison against the United States, with wing Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and centre Tatyana Heard also brought into the starting backline.

Up front, props Mackenzie Carson and Maud Muir come into the run-on side in New Jersey as Mitchell’s side look to end their international year on a high.

“Our intent is to start this next phase strongly against the USA, with six months until our next Test in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations,” Mitchell said. “We’re rotating some positions this week to refresh the group, create opportunities and continue building our depth.

“Selection is driven by what the team needs against the USA, the behaviours we value and the performance we’re preparing to deliver. Everyone has a role, and everyone is accountable for our standards.”

Having had a 39-match winning run ended in a draw with Canada in Exeter in September, the Red Roses suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time in a decade as the World Cup runners-up swept a two-match series on home soil.

England last took on the United States in the World Cup opener last year, winning 69-7.

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