England last played their last-eight opponents Australia back in 2017, winning 53-10 in the International Women's Rugby Series in Wellington.

Should a similar result happen again here, beyond the Wallaroos lies a potential semi-final with Canada, or the United States. The North American neighbours face off at Waitakere Stadium immediately after this game.

A 12 November showpiece final is the ultimate aim for captain Sarah Hunter's team, with New Zealand or France the likeliest to prevail in the other side of the draw.

We salute England captain Sarah Hunter, who is making her 138th international appearance in this match - a record in women's rugby.

Aged 37, Hunter is still as driven as ever as she aims to claim back the world title she won in 2014, but lost to New Zealand five years ago.

Ahead of taking the women's cap record from former Red Rose Rocky Clark, she sat down with BBC Sport's Becky Grey to discuss a remarkable career., external

Image source, Getty Images

Having rung the changes for the 75-0 win over South Africa, with his side already qualified for the last eight, Middleton brings back his front line team for this game.

There are two changes from the team which beat France, Tayana Heard and Abby Dow replacing Claudia MacDonald and Ellie Kildunne.

England XV: Rowland, Thompson, Scarratt, Heard, Dow, Harrison, Infante, Cornborough, Cokayne, Bern, Aldcroft, Ward, Matthews, Hunter, M. Packer

Replacements: Davies, Botterman, Muir, Galligan, Cleall, L. Packer, Aitchison, Kildunne

Three changes for Australia from the 13-7 win over Wales, Pauline Piliae-Rasabale plays at full back with Ivania Long dropping out.

Layne Morgan comes in for Iliseva Batibasaga, and in the pack Grace Kemp replaces Atasi Lafai.

Australia XV: Piliae-Rasabale, Terita, Friedrichs, Williams, Cramer, McKenzie, Morgan, Patu, Talakai, O'Gorman, Leonard, Kemp, Chancellor, Hamilton, Parry

Replacements: Naden, Robinson, Karpani, Naiqama, Duck, Batibasaga, Smith, Murphy

Australia have never won the world title, with their best performance being finishing third in 2010.

They were hammered 41-17 by New Zealand in the tournament's opening game at Eden Park, however they claimed narrow wins over Wales and Scotland to finish second in Pool A.

With three tries, Bienne Terita leads the Australia point scorers and is the one for England to watch today.

As expected, England progressed from the group stage with three victories including bonus point triumphs over Fiji and South Africa.

They were given a stern test by France however, coming through 13-7 to leave them ranked third of the eight quarter-finalists, behind New Zealand and Canada.

That has meant this slightly trickier quarter-final match up against the Aussies - although we still expect Simon Middleton's side to progress.

Becky Grey
BBC Sport at Waitakere Stadium

The weather in Auckland today can only be described as absolutely minging.

There is only one covered stand at Waitakere Stadium and I'm not sure anyone will be braving the grass banks around the pitch where on sunnier days you can enjoy the rugby with a picnic.

Image source, BBC Sport

For those unaware, this England side are the ones to beat at this tournament. They are on a streak of 28 successive wins, have not lost since July 2019 and have been top of the world rankings since November 2020.

Three more wins, and they will regain the crown of world champions they won in 2014.

Image source, Getty Images

Welcome to our live text coverage of England v Australia in the women's Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.

If you're following this from the UK, where kick-off time is 1.30am, we salute you especially. Grab a coffee and settle in for what should be a great match.