When a fresh-faced Harrison made her England debut as a 19-year-old in 2017, it looked like the Red Roses had a potential long-term successor to Katy Daley-McLean.
Harrison spent the next few years learning from the 116-cap World Cup winner before permanently taking the coveted jersey following her mentor’s retirement in 2020.
The heir to the number 10 shirt was ready, and a string of impressive performances helped her side to another World Cup final in 2022.
A few months on from the devastating final defeat by New Zealand, Harrison ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament playing for Saracens.
She returned before this year’s Six Nations and started the opening game against Italy, but struggled in a first half as England only led 10-0 at half-time.
Bristol Bears’ Holly Aitchison, who deputised at fly-half during Harrison’s absence, regained her starting spot for the rest of the campaign, with her 26-year-old rival focusing on getting back to her best.
“It has been a really good challenge,” Harrison said.
“Coming back from a long-term injury, I knew I couldn’t just come back into a shirt, it was a nice challenge to work my way back in.
“In terms of my game, I haven’t been working on anything in particular but just on getting back to playing to get my sharpness back.”
Now back up to speed and having impressed off the bench in their recent victory over New Zealand at Twickenham, the Saracen has been rewarded with a start against the United States.
Attack coach Lou Meadows described her impact as “awesome” after working on her ability to “attack the line” with ball in hand.
“She has worked hard with connecting the backline,” Meadows added.
“They [Zoe and Holly] have got a healthy competitive nature between them and drive each other.
“It will give us an advantage as opponents won’t be sure who we go with.”
