Vicky Macqueen
Ex-England full-back on BBC iPlayer

England have an opportunity to see where they're at. To put the nuts and bolts together.

This is an opportunity for the players to just enjoy themselves before the World Cup.

Anthems time in Leicester. Both cracking renditions. The scene looks marvellous you have to say.

Image source, Getty Images

Vicky Macqueen
Ex-England full-back on BBC iPlayer

Of course England will be feeling pressure [to win a home World Cup].

But for me pressure is just an opportunity to succeed. You just need to keep that in your mind that everything you can do on the field can have a positive impact.

And if you just keep that as your mindset, there's nothing to worry about.

I did not know that was why the Stoop is called the Stoop. Superb.

Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Mattioli Woods Welford Road

Image source, Getty

Harlequins scrum-half Lucy Packer, winning her 32nd cap, is the cover star of the matchday programme.

A fun fact within is that she is a distant relation to legendary England player Adrian Stoop, who Quins' home ground is named after.

Vicky Macqueen
Ex-England full-back on BBC iPlayer

Power will be absolutely key today to try and blow Spain away.

It's an exciting time for the Red Roses and a time to see where they're at after all their hard work over the summer.

Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Mattioli Woods Welford Road

As England head back into the sheds there is a particularly noisy clutch of supporters screaming their support from up in the stands, near the coaches box.

Ellie Kildunne, Zoe Aldcroft, Emily Scarratt, Amy Cokayne and Rosie Galligan are among the non-playing members of the squad to make the trip.

Vicky Macqueen
Ex-England full-back on BBC iPlayer

It's such an exciting time for women's rugby and women's sport in general. Coming off the back of the Lionesses' victory hopefully there'll be a springboard.

England have to utilise this as a key piece of World Cup preparation.

Jack Zorab
BBC commentator

It's England versus Spain, but hopefully with a lot fewer nerve-shredding penalties.

You can hit play now at the top of the screen and join the fun.

Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Mattoli Woods Welford Road

Image source, BBC Sport

England know how to make an entrance.

The Red Roses arrived at Mattioli Woods Welford Road after Spain, but the sheer number of white tracksuits that made their way across from the North Stand to the dressing rooms in the Breedon Stand opposite made a statement.

No excuses underfoot today. The pitch has been relaid in the wake of Leicester Tigers' Premiership semi-final win over Sale in June. Pure baize.

Ellie Kildunne at 15? Emma Sing gets the nod today.

What a story as Abi Burton comes back in to start at flanker.

The 25-year-old has fought her way back to the top level after spending more than three weeks in an induced coma in 2022 as she was treated for autoimmune encephalitis.

Mike Henson
BBC Sport

Maddie Feaunati (pictured) is in a potential tussle with Alex Matthews for the first-choice number eight shirt, while Marlie Packer and Abi Burton - at opposite ends of their Test careers - will be directly compared to Sadia Kabeya, who is poised on the bench.

Image source, PA Media

Zoe Harrison, in competition with Holly Aitchison, has a chance to cement her spot at 10. Lucy Packer, England's starting nine in their World Cup final defeat by New Zealand three years ago, is trying to unseat Natasha Hunt.

In the front-row, there is Springbok-style strength in depth, with hooker May Campbell, joint-top try scorer in the PWR last season, Hannah Botterman and Maud Muir as the back-up to Kelsey Clifford, Lark Atkin-Davies and Sarah Bern.

There is intrigue on the wing as Jess Breach attempts to edge ahead of Claudia Moloney-McDonald and Helena Rowland, a sublimely skilled footballer still searching for a secure backline spot, and try her hand out wide.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

After the monsoon conditions at the third Lions test in Sydney it's good to know we can rely on the east midlands for some solid weather.

Are England favourites for the World Cup? What are the remaining questions they need to answer? Who are the key players?

Let us know your thoughts via the usual channels - put your names on those messages.

Alastair Telfer
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

England flanker Marlie Packer admits she got "emotional" at the prospect of captaining the Red Roses again.

The 35-year-old was replaced as England skipper by Zoe Aldcroft in January after two seasons in the role.

Despite head coach John Mitchell opting for Aldcroft to lead the side into this month's World Cup, 110-cap Packer is still vice-captain and will skipper the side in Aldcroft's absence in Leicester this afternoon.

"What is better than playing in a home World Cup? Whatever role I play in this I am going to give my all. That starts this weekend against Spain," Packer said.

Here is England's World Cup squad in full:

Forwards: Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, captain), Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears), Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears), Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears), Abi Burton (Trailfinders), May Campbell (Saracens), Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury), Kelsey Clifford (Saracens), Amy Cokayne (Sale Sharks), Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs), Rosie Galligan (Saracens), Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning), Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning), Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury), Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury), Marlie Packer (Saracens), Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks), Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears).

Backs: Holly Aitchison (Sale Sharks), Jess Breach (Saracens), Abby Dow (Unattached), Zoe Harrison (Saracens), Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury), Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury), Megan Jones (Trailfinders), Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins), Claudia Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs), Lucy Packer (Harlequins), Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning), Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning), Jade Shekells (Gloucester-Hartpury), Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury).

Mike Henson
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

England face Spain, just as Chloe Kelly and her team-mates did in last weekend's Euros final.

The pressure will be some way short of shootout stress though.

Spain are ranked 13th in the world. They have lost their past three games - one Test against South Africa and two against Japan. Their last meeting with England was a 10-try 56-5 thrashing in the 2017 Rugby World Cup pool stages.

They will lack the quality and depth to offer significant resistance to the queenpins of the women's game.

Instead the competition for the Red Roses will mainly be internal as they fight for World Cup places.

England have reached the final of all but one women's World Cup and are favourites to regain their title at HQ next month.

Today is a chance to tinker and fettle with the side and iron out any issues.