England head coach John Mitchell has named an skilled squad for Saturday’s Girls’s Six Nations opener towards Eire.
For the primary sport since profitable the World Cup at Twickenham in September, Mitchell has named a star-studded beginning 15 to start their title protection, with one participant in line for his debut, Hainela Lutui.
Lutui, a 19-year-old back-rower, will earn his first Take a look at cap off the bench.
Meg Jones will captain the staff from heart, whereas Zoe Stratford introduced final month that she would miss the event as a consequence of being pregnant.
Stratford is one in every of 4 English gamers to turn out to be pregnant since their World Cup victory in September. Teammates Rosie Galligan and Marley Packer introduced Wednesday that they’re anticipating a child collectively.
Lark Atkin-Davies and Abbey Ward are additionally hopeful.
Maddy Faunaty will begin at blindside flanker, alongside Sadia Kabeya and Alex Matthews within the again row.
Kelsey Clifford will begin within the entrance row alongside veterans Amy Cockayne and Sarah Byrne, with Lily Ives Campion and Maddie Faunati behind her within the scrum.
Within the backline, Lucy Packer will begin alongside fly-half Zoe Harrison alongside Natasha Hunt. Jones will probably be partnered by Helena Rowland, whereas full-back Ellie Kildan will probably be joined within the again three by wingers Jess Breech and Claudia Moloney-Macdonald.
“We’re all feeling the lingering results of 2025 and that’s mirrored within the unbelievable ticket gross sales for Saturday’s sport,” Mitchell mentioned.
“Whereas the gamers get pleasure from and deserve the chance to carry out in entrance of a file crowd, additionally they perceive the duty that comes with that stage.
“We all know that success on this competitors isn’t given and should be received each time. We now have ready nicely as a bunch and the gamers are prepared to completely specific themselves. We will not wait to get began.”
England XV vs Eire
1. Kelsey Clifford, 2. Amy Cockayne, 3. Sarah Byrne, 4. Morwenna Talling, 5. Lily Ives Campion, 6. Maddie Faunati, 7. Sadia Kabeya, 8. Alex Matthews, 9. Lucy Packer, 10. Holly Aitchison, 11. Claudia Moloney-Macdonald, 12. Helena Rowland, 13. Megan Jones (Captain), 14. Jess Breech, 15. Ellie Kildon.
Options:
16. Connie Powell, 17. Mackenzie Carson, 18. Maud Muir, 19. Haineala Lutui, 20. Abi Barton, 21. Natasha Hunt, 22. Zoe Harrison, 23. Emma Singh.
