England head coach John Mitchell insists the Red Roses will roll with the punches as they come to terms with a growing list of absentees.
Mitchell has made five changes in personnel to the starting XV for Saturday’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations clash with Scotland at Murrayfield, including handing a debut to 19-year-old Demelza Short at blindside flanker.
Fly-half Zoe Harrison, full-back Emma Sing, lock Abi Burton and prop Maud Muir have also been picked as England look to build on the 33-12 victory against Ireland that opened their Championship.
Ellie Kildunne moves to the left wing to accommodate Sing and Maddie Feaunati switches from blindside flanker to No 8 to fill the void created by Alex Matthews’ shoulder injury.
Matthews is the latest casualty incurred by the Red Roses, who have seen Hannah Botterman, Morwenna Talling, Natasha Hunt, May Campbell and Tatyana Heard ruled out of the entire tournament.
In addition, Zoe Stratford, Abbie Ward, Rosie Galligan and Lark Atkin-Davies are missing because of pregnancy.
“We’ve had to adapt to a number of changes with injuries to team-mates who are hugely valued within the group, but that’s part of the culture we’re building,” Mitchell said.
“It creates opportunities for others to step up and highlights the depth we’re continuing to grow, both for now and the future.
“There’s a real hunger in this group to keep pushing forward, regardless of the challenges we face.”
England have been hit hardest in the second row, having lost Talling, Ward, Galligan and Stratford, resulting in Burton being converted from her usual position in the back row.
Defence coach Sarah Hunter views the test of the Red Roses’ squad depth as an opportunity to build for the next World Cup in 2029.
“This [number of injuries] is quite unheard of within an England squad over the years,” said Hunter, who revealed that the severity of Matthews’ injury is still to be assessed.
“It’s almost good that we’re having this situation now so that we can grow and develop some of the younger players coming through who might be there in four years’ time. It might accelerate them a little bit.”
England team to face Scotland
Starting XV: 15 Emma Sing, 14 Jess Breach, 13 Megan Jones (c), 12 Helena Rowland, 11 Ellie Kildunne, 10 Zoe Harrison, 9 Lucy Packer; 1 Kelsey Clifford, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Maud Muir, 4 Abi Burton, 5 Lilli Ives Campion, 6 Demelza Short, 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Maddie Feaunati.
Replacements: 16 Connie Powell, 17 Mackenzie Carson, 18 Sarah Bern, 19 Haineala Lutui, 20 Marlie Packer, 21 Flo Robinson, 22 Holly Aitchison, 23 Mia Venner.
England’s 2026 Women’s Six Nations fixtures
- v Scotland (Saturday April 18) – Murrayfield, Edinburgh (1.30pm)
- v Wales (Saturday April 25) – Ashton Gate, Bristol (2.15pm)
- v Italy (Saturday May 9) – Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma (3pm)
- v France (Sunday May 17) – Stade Atlantique, Bordeaux (5.45pm)
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