Red Roses v Scotland Women: preview, teams and stats
As the Red Roses prepare for their first game of the 2021 Women's Six Nations here is everything you need to know.
England have named Helena Rowland at fly half where she will earn her fourth cap, while Zoe Aldcroft, Lydia Thompson and Sarah McKenna all return to the starting XV after being unavailable in the autumn through injury.
- Red Roses name team to face Scotland in Six Nations opener
- Listen to Botterman and Poppy on England Rugby Podcast: O2 Inside Line
- Watch O2 Inside Line: Red Roses | Six Nations preparations
- Watch Red Roses v Scotland on BBC iPlayer
Emily Scarratt captains the side in the absence of Sarah Hunter who continues her comeback from a long-term injury. Bryony Cleall, twin sister of No 8 Poppy, is named at tight-head prop for the second appearance for her country, two years after making her debut, while Cath O'Donnell is also back from a prolonged absence, making her first appearance since the summer of 2019.
Loughborough Lightning forward Rachel Malcom captains Scotland and is one of seven players in the matchday squad who play their rugby in the Allianz Premier 15s.
Scotland have not played since October when they drew 13-13 with France and they have named the same backline from that day.
- When? Saturday, 3 April
- Kick-off? 1500 BST
- Where? Castle Park, Doncaster
- Coverage? Watch on BBC iPlayer, listen on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, follow on England Rugby Instagram and Twitter
VIEWS FROM THE CAMP
England head coach Simon Middleton: “From our point of view we look at it as just a different format. We want to win every game we play and we know that there’s a Six Nations title on the line, whatever format that comes in. We’re going to be really concentrating on delivering what we’ve trained on for the last six months and if we get that right then hopefully we get the results.
“The one thing about this side is there are tries right across the field. We were working on diversity of attack whether that’s through the forwards, the backs or direct, round, through or over - we’re really trying to build our game.
“We’ve got multiple try scorers across the team and I would hope if we get things right and execute well there would be a few different names on the score sheet. The key thing is we execute the stuff we’ve put in place and if we do then hopefully we’ll put an entertaining game on the field.
“There is nothing better than a England-Scotland game and Scotland probably look forward to it more than anything. I read a really interesting piece from [Scotland forward] Rachel Malcolm yesterday and it really resonated with me, that they’re not daunted by playing us and they shouldn’t be as they’re a really good side.
RED ROSES TRAINING IN DONCASTER FOR SCOTLAND
England captain Emily Scarratt: “The last game against Scotland was one of the coldest I’ve ever played in. We’ve had some really good preparation and the last few days have been glorious – yesterday’s session was tough in the heat.
“Game weeks are always different. We’ve spent a lot of time training, we’ve been in camp most weeks for a couple of days but now you can see the game at the end, and there’s always a different feel and it’s far more exciting.
“This week has definitely been a different feel about it and everyone’s just buzzing to get out there and see if we can put the fruits of our labour onto the field.
“I’m really excited to play outside of her [Lagi Tuima]; I think we can both complement each other pretty well. She’s got the whole box of tricks so she’ll relieve a bit of kicking pressure off me and the 10, so we’ve got a really nice balance in the midfield that hopefully can pull the strings and bring everyone else into the game. I think it’s really important as a midfield that we bring the back three into the game, we’ve got some serious pace and ability out there and we want to showcase that.”
Scotland head coach Bryan Easson: “It’s been tough to select the team this week which has been a real positive as it shows there is good strength in depth within this squad.
“The team that will take the field on Saturday has an exciting blend of youth and experience. We have several players that have been involved in a number of Six Nations championships now, but we also have a lot of young and upcoming talent that are pushing for places in the team.
“As a management group, we are looking for players to express themselves on both sides of the ball and also showcase the hard work that they have put in over this difficult period.
“The group have worked incredibly hard since August so we’ve had a good amount of preparation ahead of the tournament but we are now just ready and excited to get back on the pitch and play.”
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS
- 10 February 2020: Scotland 0-53 England - Murrayfield, Edinburgh (Six Nations)
- 16 March 2019: England 80-0 Scotland - Twickenham, London (Six Nations)
- 23 February 2018: Scotland 8-43 England - Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow (Six Nations)
- 11 March 2017: England 64-0 Scotland - Twickenham, London (Six Nations)
- 5 February 2016: Scotland 0-32 England - Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld (Six Nations)
- 13 March 2015: England 42-13 Scotland - Northern Echo Arena, Darlington (Six Nations)
- 9 February 2014: Scotland 0-63 England - Rubislaw Playing Fields, Aberdeen (Six Nations)
- 2 February 2013: England 76-0 Scotland - Moseley Road, Hersham (Six Nations)
- 5 February 2012: Scotland 0-47 England - Hawthornden, Bonnyrigg (Six Nations)
- 13 March 2011: England 89-0 Scotland - Twickenham, London (Six Nations)
- 13 March 2010: Scotland 0-51 England - Meggetland Stadium, Edinburgh (Six Nations)
KEY STATS
- The Red Roses have won their last 22 meetings against Scotland
- Scotland's last win against England was in 1999 when they won 15-13
- In nine of the last 11 meetings, England have managed to prevent Scotland from scoring a point
- England have won three of the last four Women's Six Nations, including back-to-back Grand Slams
- Since the first Home Nations championship in 1996, England are the most successful side having won 16 titles with 15 of those wins a Grand Slam
- Scotland are currently ranked 11th in the latest World Rugby rankings
- Scotland's sole title in this competition was when they won the Home Nations Championship in 1998
- Captain Emily Scarratt was named the 2020 Women's Six Nations player of the championship
TEAMS
England
15. Sarah McKenna (Saracens Women, 32 caps)
14. Lydia Thompson (Worcester Warriors, 46 caps)
13. Emily Scarratt (C; Loughborough Lightning, 92 caps)
12. Lagi Tuima (Harlequins Women, 6 caps)
11. Jess Breach (Harlequins Women, 15 caps)
10. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 3 caps)
9. Leanne Riley (Harlequins Women, 40 caps)
1. Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins Women 56 caps)
2. Lark Davies (Loughborough Lightning, 28 caps)
3. Bryony Cleall (Saracens Women, 1 cap)
4. Abbie Ward (Harlequins Women 45 caps)
5. Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 16 caps)
6. Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester Hartpury Women, 20 caps)
7. Marlie Packer (Saracens Women, 74 caps)
8. Poppy Cleall (Saracens Women, 43 caps)
Finishers
16. Amy Cokayne (Harlequins Women, 53 caps)
17. Detysha Harper (Loughborough Lightning, 3 caps)
18. Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins Women, 20 caps)
19. Harriet Millar-Mills (Wasps FC Ladies, 58 caps)
20. Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens Women, 76 caps)
21. Claudia MacDonald (Wasps FC Ladies, 12 caps)
22. Megan Jones (Wasps FC Ladies, 10 caps)
23. Ellie Kildunne (Wasps FC Ladies, 11 caps)
Scotland
15. Chloe Rollie (Harlequins)
14. Rachel Shankland (Stirling County)
13. Hannah Smith (Watsonians)
12. Lisa Thomson (Unattached)
11. Megan Gaffney (Heriots)
10. Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning)
9. Mairi McDonald (Hillhead Jordanhill)
1. Leah Bartlett (Loughborough Lightning)
2. Lana Skeldon (Unattached)
3. Christine Belisle (Cartha Queens Park)
4. Emma Wassell (Corstorphine Cougars)
5. Louise McMillan (Hillhead Jordanhill)
6. Rachel Malcolm CAPTAIN (Loughborough Lightning)
7. Rachel McLachlan (Unattached)
8. Siobhan Cattigan (Stirling County)
Replacements
16. Molly Wright (Watsonians)
17. Panashe Muzambe (Edinburgh University / Watsonians)
18. Lisa Cockburn (Darlington Mowden Park)
19. Evie Gallagher (Stirling County)
20. Jodie Rettie (Saracens)
21. Jenny Maxwell (Loughborough Lightning)
22. Sarah Law (Unattached)
23. Liz Musgrove (Unattached)
