Marlie Packer has been named as England captain for the remainder of the Six Nations; England continue their Six Nations campaign when they face Italy at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton on Sunday, with kick-off at 3pm
Last Updated: 30/03/23 6:16pm
Zoe Aldcroft will line up at No 8 after Sarah Hunter’s retirement
England head coach Simon Middleton has named his 23-player Red Roses squad to take on Italy in Northampton on Sunday, with Zoe Aldcroft moving to No 8 to replace the retired Sarah Hunter.
Aldcroft will take on the vice-captain role while making the switch from lock, as Marlie Packer continues to captain the side from openside flanker for the rest of the tournament, Sadia Kabeya then retaining her place at blindside flanker.
With Aldcroft at the back of the pack, Bristol Bears lock Delaney Burns will earn her first cap on the international stage in place of the inured Poppy Cleall, Cath O’Donnell lining up alongside her at Franklin’s Gardens.
An unchanged front row them completes the forwards as Mackenzie Carson, Amy Cokayne and Sarah Bern keep their places.
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England Women head coach, Simon Middleton heaped praise on captain Sarah Hunter before she played her last game for the Red Roses
England Women head coach, Simon Middleton heaped praise on captain Sarah Hunter before she played her last game for the Red Roses
Tatyana Heard comes in at inside centre to replace the injured Amber Reed and will line up alongside the unchanged Holly Aitchison at fly-half, Abby Dow, Jess Breach, and Claudia MacDonald then making up the back three.Lagi Tuima also retains her place at outside centre with her Harlequins team-mate Lucy Packer at scrum-half and a first senior international cap could also be on the cards for Harlequins’ Emily Robinson who starts on the bench.
Head …