England captain Zoe Aldcroft to miss rest of Women's Rugby World Cup pool stages as Red Roses rip up team for Samoa clash after USA hammering

Captain Zoe Aldcroft will miss the rest of England’s Women’s Rugby World Cup pool stage matches with a knee injury.

Head coach John Mitchell has ripped up his side for the second-round clash with Samoa, making a mammoth 13 changes from the team which opened the tournament by hammering USA.

The Red Roses started what they hope will be their bid for global glory on home soil with a bang on the opening night, brushing America aside 69-7 despite a rusty first quarter. Aldcroft was injured in that match.

Only centre Meg Jones and wing Jess Breach retain their places from that Sunderland clash for Samoa.

The near-wholesale rotation is part of Mitchell’s wider plan to get all of his players important minutes in the World Cup’s early stages.

Doing so won’t derail England who will still be far too good for Samoa regardless of the changes.

Mitchell’s selection means only No 10 Holly Aitchison won’t have played in England’s opening two matches.

Aitchison has an ankle injury but should be fit for the third pool game with Australia.

‘It has been in our planning to give everyone game time over the first two pool matches and bar Holly, we’ve been able to execute that with this selection,’ Mitchell said.

‘Our new combinations want to make each other proud and build on our performance against USA in our opening match.

‘It will be a great atmosphere for them at one of the most traditional rugby grounds in the country. They’re all excited to get out there.’

England’s team for Samoa at Northampton’s Franklin’s Gardens will be captained by the experienced Marlie Packer with Aldcroft out of the match with the Pacific Islanders as well as the meeting with Australia.

Star backs Natasha Hunt and Ellie Kildunne are among the replacements this weekend.

Breach, with 49 Test tries to her name, is likely to bring up her half century given Samoa won't worry England.

Another one-sided match is expected with England’s first real challenges likely to come when the knock-out stages begin, by which time it is hoped Aldcroft will be back in action.

'To captain your country at a World Cup is a complete honour,' said Packer, who was demoted as skipper and replaced by Aldcroft previously. 

'Three years ago it was the first time I captained my country when we played South Africa. To do it again at a World Cup is very special.

'We don't want to rush Zoe and she knows the whole squad back her and want her back with us.'