England have been strengthened by the return of four 2025 World Cup winners from injury for Saturday's WXV Global Series opener against Australia at Salford's CorpAcq Stadium.
Centre Tatyana Heard (foot) and replacement prop Hannah Botterman (ankle) missed the entire Six Nations, while scrumhalf Natasha Hunt (knee) and replacement lock Morwenna Talling (leg) played only small roles in the Championship.
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Sale fly-half Holly Aitchison will make her 50th international appearance at her home ground against the Wallaroos and is one of five changes to the starting XV that defeated France in May, with hooker May Campbell and wing Mia Venner completing the adjustments.
"Playing in a different part of the country allows us to be present in the community and keeps the game healthy," the team's head coach, New Zealander John Mitchell, said.
"You've not only got to be visible, but if you can actually be close to your community, I think that's even better.
"Connection is such an important part of life, but particularly in sport. The girls have worked hard in pre-season to deepen their bond, and that will make us stronger on the field."
England captain Meg Jones insists the smaller balls being trialled in the series "reward perfection" but says she'll reserve judgement on them until the campaign is over.
World Rugby has introduced the new women's bespoke 4.5 ball, which is 3 per cent smaller than the standard size 5 but is the same weight.
According to the global game's governing body, the smaller size is "specially designed to suit female players" and give a "better platform for showcasing handling skills".
But when the trial was announced in May, England fly-half Zoe Harrison described it as the "worst decision someone has ever made" and opinion has been divided over whether the different ball is necessary.
"They reward perfection a little bit. The margin of error is a lot smaller – you see a little bit more dying of the ball with passing," said Jones.
"It's been a while getting used to it. I know some girls are getting a little bit frustrated, but the nature of it is that it's here now and we'll work well with it and we'll do our best."
England: 15 Ellie Kildunne, 14 Mia Venner, 13 Megan Jones (c), 12 Tatyana Heard, 11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, 10 Holly Aitchison, 9 Natasha Hunt; 1 Mackenzie Carson, 2 May Campbell, 3 Sarah Bern, 4 Delaney Burns. 5 Lilli Ives Campion, 6 Abi Burton, 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Maddie Feaunati.
Replacements: 16 Bryony Field, 17 Hannah Botterman, 18 Maud Muir, 19 Morwenna Talling, 20 Marlie Packer, 21 Lucy Packer, 22 Zoe Harrison, 23 Helena Rowland.
