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.
Centre Jade Shekells will attempt to barge into the midfield equation as she wins her third cap. Emma Sing has been excellent for Gloucester-Hartpury, but has the hardest task of all, keeping World Player of the Year Ellie Kildunne’s full-back spot warm.
And in the background, for all of them, is the clock.
The canapes and tickertape have barely been cleared away from football’s celebrations, but a baton has been passed. England will play France next weekend in their final warm-up and then the rehearsals are over.
A Rugby World Cup opener against the United States awaits on 22 August.
Marlie Packer, who captains the side against Spain, is setting her sights high.
She has won the World Cup before.
Back in 2014, England’s women footballers, preparing for a qualifier against Wales, came off the training pitch and sat down to cheer Packer and her team-mates – all amateurs – to a final win over Canada.
This time though a Red Roses victory, on home turf, as professionals, at a sold-out Allianz Stadium, would be many magnitudes bigger.
“It is our turn now, let’s go and do it,” said Packer.
“Like how the footballers have inspired us, we want to inspire them and the nation.
“We can define the way women’s rugby is looked at by the way we play and how we want to be.”
Spain is where England iron out the small details needed to realise that big ambition.
