Three Hurricanes Poua are set to feature across the opening round of the Women's Rugby World Cup across England this weekend.
Poua pair Ayesha Leti-I'iga and Layla Sae have both been named to start for the Black Ferns in the opening match of their World Cup title defence against Spain on Monday morning NZT.
Leti-I'iga returns from an injury layoff to start on the left wing, while Sae has been promoted to the starting lineup at blindside flanker for the Pool C clash at Sandy Park in Exeter.
It will be the first time Leti-I'iga has started for the Black Ferns since she scored a brace during New Zealand's 27-all Pacific Four Series draw with Canada in Christchurch three months ago.
Sae's most recent start for the Black Ferns came when she was named to play at openside flanker against the Black Ferns XV in Whangarei last month.
This weekend's match doubles as a World Cup debut for Sae, a 14-test international, while Leti-I'iga will suit up for her second World Cup campaign as she looks to add to her impressive tally of 19 tries in 26 tests.
“We’ve had a few days to acclimatise, enjoy the warmer weather in York before shifting our focus to the match against Spain," Black Ferns director of performance Allan Bunting said.
“We believe the selected team will start our World Cup campaign strong. It’s going to be an absolute honour for our wāhine to walk out on that field and really stamp their mark.”
Elsewhere, Poua prop Denise Aiolupotea has been included on the Manusina Samoa bench for their opening match of the tournament against Australia on Saturday night NZT.
A regular for the Poua over the last two seasons, Aiolupotea is set to feature in what will be Samoa's first Women's World Cup appearance since 2014 when they take to the field at Salford Community Stadium in Manchester.
Kick-off for Saturday's Pool A match between Manusina Samoa and the Wallaroos is scheduled for 11pm Saturday NZT, while the Black Ferns match against Spain begins at 4:30am Monday NZT.
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