NSW Waratahs winger Amelia Whitaker has been named to start on her Wallaroos debut against world champions England in Manchester on Sunday (AEST).
Queensland Reds captain Jemma Bemrose is also in line to debut off the bench amid several changes to the team that went down to New Zealand, including the returns of Georgina Friedrichs, Caitlyn Halse and Faliki Pohiva.
Watch every second of the Wallaroos WXV Global Series live and on demand via Stan Sport.
Whitaker, the niece of former Wallaby Chris, will start on the wing alongside Desiree Miller, who is four points away from being the first Australian to reach 100 Test points.
The 20-year-old was named Waratahs Player of the Year in 2026, joining an all-NSW back three with the returning Halse, completing her comeback from injury.
Halse's inclusion leads to a shift in the backline, pushing Faitala Moleka into the centres with Friedrichs, who missed the Test against the Black Ferns.
Further changes to the backline see Samantha Wood start at scrumhalf, with Tia Hinds and Cecilia Smith the back replacements in a 6-2 split.
Meanwhile, Pia Tapsell will make her debut start, selected at blindside flanker in a backrow that includes Lily Bone and skipper Siokapesi Palu Sekona.
Pohiva returns to the front-row after her injury, partnering with Waratahs teammates Brianna Hoy and Brittany Merlo.
Bemrose headlines the new faces on the bench, with the Reds skipper coming through the Queensland pathways after being inspired by the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
The lock/back-rower adds leadership off the bench along with former Wallaroos skippers Emily Chancellor and Piper Duck, with Eva Karpani and Tania Naden also named.
“We have picked two debutants in Amelia Whitaker and Jemma Bemrose, who both stepped up in Super Rugby this season, consistently doing their roles and earning their Test call up," Director of Women's High Performance Tim Walsh said.
“As a team we are investing in the future while focusing on the present. We are looking forward to what the world champion English team will throw at us and we are ready to absorb and return with some interest.”
September 13: England v Wallaroos at CorpAcq Stadium, Salford - 12:00am AEST
1. Brianna Hoy - #203 (NSW Waratahs/Coffs Harbour Snappers) – 14 caps
2. Brittany Merlo - #230 (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 4 caps
3. Faliki Pohiva - #219 (NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions) – 11 caps
4. Kaitlan Leaney - #179 (NSW Waratahs/SCU Marlins) – 40 caps
5. Michaela Leonard - #168 (Western Force/Tuggeranong Vikings) – 47 caps
6. Pia Tapsell - #236 (Western Force/North Shore Rugby Club) – 1 cap
7. Lily Bone - #229 (ACT Brumbies/Orange City) – 4 caps
8. Siokapesi Palu Sekona (c) - #194 (ACT Brumbies/Rockdale Rangers) – 28 caps
9. Samantha Wood - #207 (Western Force/Kalamunda Rugby) – 16 caps
10. Waiaria Ellis - #225 (NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions) – 7 caps
11. Desiree Miller - #204 (NSW Waratahs/Eastern Suburbs) – 28 caps
12. Faitala Moleka - #199 (ACT Brumbies/Blacktown Scorpions) – 31 caps
13. Georgina Friedrichs - #178 (NSW Waratahs/Wests Bulldogs) – 42 caps
14. Amelia Whitaker* (NSW Waratahs/Randwick) – uncapped
15. Caitlyn Halse - #210 (NSW Waratahs/Camden Rams) – 15 caps
Reserves
16. Tania Naden - #197 (ACT Brumbies/Uni-North Owls) – 30 caps
17. Allana Sikimeti - #212 (Western Force/Norths Eagles Rugby) – 4 caps
18. Eva Karpani - #171 (Queensland Reds/Southern Suburbs) – 46 caps
19. Jemma Bemrose* (Queensland Reds/Palm Beach Currumbin Alligators) – uncapped
20. Piper Duck - #185 (NSW Waratahs/Tumut Bullettes) – 27 caps
21. Emily Chancellor - #158 (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 38 caps
22. Tia Hinds - #222 (NSW Waratahs/Randwick) – 11 caps
23. Cecilia Smith - #190 (Western Force/Leeton Dianas) – 31 caps
*denotes uncapped
Unavailable for selection due to injury
- Tabua Tuinakauvadra (knee)
