There is a change of position for one of the ex-Welwyn trio playing for England at the 2021 Rugby World Cup - as they prepare for a quarter-final showdown with Australia.

Helena Rowland has been playing in the inside centre role but will move to full-back for Sunday's clash at the Waitakere Stadium in Auckland, a match that will be shown live on ITV at 1.30am

The move comes after a player of the match performance in the 12 shirt from Tatyana Heard in the final group game with South Africa.

Zoe Harrison stays at fly-half while Hannah Botterman, who started her rugby journey with Datchworth, is among the replacements.

Harpenden's Sarah McKenna misses out on the match-day squad.

Head coach Simon Middleton said: "England against Australia is always a huge occasion in any sport and we are looking forward to playing against a team we don’t face very often.

"Excitement has certainly built this week ahead of what is a massive game. 

"We know the importance of a fast start on Sunday. Australia have had some very fast starts in their pool games so it is important we better their effort and set the tempo and physicality levels.

"Off the back of three strong pool games, in which I think it’s fair to say every player has put their hand up, we have gone for a 23 we believe fits the bill for this particular game."

The game will also be a special day for two of the Red Roses starting XV, captain Sarah Hunter becoming England's most-capped player in her 138th appearance while Sarah Bern reaches 50 caps. 

Middleton said: "I’d like to give a special mention to Sarah Hunter who becomes the most-capped England player of all time across the men’s and women’s game.

"To earn 138 caps for your country is a remarkable achievement and deserves to be celebrated. The way she conducts herself in everything she does both on and off the field is admirable.

"Her people skills, ability to lead and communicate with people from all walks of life makes her stand out. She takes pride in everything she does and does it to the best of her ability.

"As a sports person the one thing you hope you can do when you look back is to be able to say to yourself 'I couldn’t have given more, I’ve been the best I could be'.

"Sarah is one of the very few who will be able to unequivocally do that. She is a unique person and captain.

"Sarah Bern also reaches 50 caps which is remarkable for someone so young but she broke onto the scene at a young age and has become an integral part of our group from both a playing and leadership perspective.

"We’re delighted for her."

England matchday squad to play Australia

15. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 20 caps)
14. Lydia Thompson (University of Worcester Warriors, 56 caps)
13. Emily Scarratt (VC; Loughborough Lightning, 105 caps)
12. Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 6 caps)
11. Abby Dow (Wasps, 27 caps)
10. Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 43 caps)
9. Leanne Infante (Saracens, 55 caps)
 
1. Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins, 72 caps)
2. Amy Cokayne (Harlequins, 67 caps)
3. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 49 caps)
4. Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 35 caps)
5. Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 58 caps)
6. Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 53 caps)
7. Marlie Packer (Saracens, 86 caps)
8. Sarah Hunter (C; Loughborough Lightning, 137 caps)
 
Substitutes
16. Lark Davies (Bristol Bears, 41 caps)
17. Hannah Botterman (Saracens, 33 caps)
18. Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 14 caps)
19. Rosie Galligan (Harlequins, 8 caps)
20. Poppy Cleall (Saracens, 60 caps)
21. Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 7 caps)
22. Holly Aitchison (Saracens, 12 caps)
23. Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 28 caps)

USA and Lotte Clapp

Lotte Clapp, meanwhile, another alumna from the Hobbs Way-based rugby club, will start for the USA in their quarter-final match with Canada.

The Canadians beat the Eagles 29-14 last week in their final pool match but the quirk of the last-eight draw has put them back on a collision course.

USA head coach Rob Cain said: "Last week was full of drama, big collisions with lots of exciting rugby, and some key learnings for both teams who share an intense rivalry.

"We very much expect this weekend to offer even more and we know we will have to be even better.

"Reaching the quarter-final of a Rugby World Cup, especially with many of the challenges we have faced, is a great achievement in itself.

"But we aren't satisfied just yet. Sunday is a real opportunity for this group.

"Each week with the more time we have had together, we have shown more in each performance.

"We are under no illusions at the task at hand but we know exactly what is needed to reverse the result from last weekend."

That game directly follows the Red Roses on Sunday.