“We’ve named a strong side and are looking forward to seeing how the group fare. We have great strength-in-depth, the whole squad have trained well and it’s important we give players opportunities and at the same time look at new combinations,” said Red Roses head coach Simon Middleton
Last Updated: 24/03/22 11:38am
England’s Emily Scarratt returns to start in the Six Nations following her recovery form a leg break
England duo Emily Scarratt and Sarah Hunter have been named to start for the Red Roses’ opening Women’s Six Nations game against Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday.
Hunter captains the side from No 8, while Scarratt returns to the starting XV at outside-centre following a lengthy injury lay-off due to a leg break.Marlie Packer is set to earn her 80th cap at openside flanker, while Saracens team-mate Poppy Cleall – named 2021’s six Nations Player of the Tournament – is at blindside flanker. England head into the tournament as favourites, having claimed the title in 2019, 2020 and 2021, and they are also on an 18-game winning run. Sarah Hunter captains the side from No 8 vs Scotland in Round 1 Maud Muir earns her first cap at loosehead prop with Lark Davies (hooker) and Sarah Bern (tighthead prop) forming the front row.Harlequins’ Rosie Galligan makes her first Red Roses appearance in over three years and earns her second cap at lock.Bristol Bears duo Abbie Ward and Leanne Infante are at lock and scrum-half respectively.Helena Rowland and Holly Aitchison make up the 10-12 axis while Ellie Kildunne, Heather Cowell and Abby Dow are the back three.Bryony Cleall returns to the group after missing the autumn internationals through injury. She …