Red Roses squad for Saturday’s Six Nations clash against Italy
Simon Middleton has made eight changes to the England Women starting 15 who will face Italy on Saturday at Twickenham Stoop (KO 1 pm, live on Sky Sports 2).
Richmond wing Kay Wilson comes in to earn her 40th England cap with Saracens’ Sarah McKenna starting at full back. Richmond flanker Alex Matthews returns from injury for her first appearance this Six Nations following the Red Roses’ decisive 0-63 win over Wales at Cardiff Arms Park.
Rachael Burford, Emily Scott, La Toya Mason, Justine Lucas and Vicky Fleetwood all start, with Amy Cokayne, Rochelle Clark, Izzy Noel-Smith, Natasha Hunt and Katy Mclean moving to the bench.
Lydia Thompson and Danielle Waterman, two of the leading try scorers of the tournament so far, are both rested for the game.
Head Coach Middleton said: “We are working to improve continually through the competition and that is our aim.
“Saturday will provide players who have trained hard week in, week out, with an opportunity to show what they have to offer on the pitch. We must respect Italy as a side and that is reflected by the depth of our preparation for Saturday’s game.”
Captain Sarah Hunter will become fourth on the all-time England Women’s appearance list with her 88th international cap on Saturday. With Rochelle Clark looking to earn her 120th England cap and Tamara Taylor her 101st, the Red Roses again field an experienced side.
England and Italy last came together in the 2016 Six Nations in Ivrea, Italy, where the Red Roses came away with a 24-33 victory. England is two from two so far this Six Nations following wins against France (26-13) and Wales (0-63). Italy sits bottom of the Six Nations table after defeats by Wales (8-20) and Ireland (3-27) in the opening rounds.
Tickets to Saturday’s game are available from £5 online here.
England match-day 23 against Italy
15 Sarah McKenna (Saracens, 10 caps)
14 Amy Wilson-Hardy (Bristol, 5 caps)
13 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield, 63 caps)
12 Rachael Burford (Aylesford Bulls, 62 caps)
11 Kay Wilson (Richmond, 39 caps)
10 Emily Scott (Saracens, 18 caps)
9 La Toya Mason (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 61 caps)
1 Justine Lucas (Lichfield, 16 caps)
2 Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens, 56 caps)
3 Laura Keates (Worcester Valkyries, 58 caps)
4 Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield, 40 caps)
5 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 100 caps)
6 Alex Matthews (Richmond, 26 caps)
7 Marlie Packer (Bristol, 42 caps)
8 Sarah Hunter (Bristol, 87 caps) (c)
16 Amy Cokayne (Lichfield, 22 caps)
17 Rochelle Clark (Worcester Valkyries, 119 caps)
18 Sarah Bern (Bristol, 6 caps)
19 Poppy Cleall (Bristol, 9 caps)
20 Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol, 26 caps)
21 Natasha Hunt (Lichfield, 35 caps)
22 Katy Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 82 caps)
23 Amber Reed (Bristol, 34 caps)
England Women Six Nations fixtures
England 26 – 13 France
Saturday 4 February, Twickenham Stadium
Wales 0 – 63 England
Saturday 11 February, Cardiff Arms Park
England v Italy
Saturday 25 February, KO 1 pm, live on Sky Sports 2
Twickenham Stoop
Tickets available here
England v Scotland
Saturday 11 March, KO 1 pm, coverage delayed until 8 pm on Sky Sports 2
Twickenham Stoop
Tickets available here
Ireland v England
Friday 17 March, KO 8 pm, live on Sky Sports Mix
Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin
N.B. Channel information subject to change.
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