Red Roses vs Scotland: Preview
Everything you need to know ahead of the Red Roses’ first TikTok Women's Six Nations clash with Scotland.
Emily Scarratt returns as vice-captain after nearly a year having missed England's record-breaking autumn with a broken leg, with number eight Sarah Hunter captaining the side.
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Marlie Packer is set to earn her 80th cap at openside flanker whilst Maud Muir represents her country at loosehead for the very first time.
Elsewhere full back Emma Sing could make her debut off the bench while Rosie Galligan earns her second England cap three years after her first.
Helena Rowland takes the reins at 10 after Zoe Harrison sustained a minor knock during the week and Bryony Cleall returns to the group after missing the autumn internationals through injury.
Jade Konkel will lead Scotland out of the tunnel for her 50th cap on Saturday. Emma Wassell will play her 52nd consecutive Test for Scotland while Meryl Smith could win her first cap from the bench.
Views from camp
Head coach Simon Middleton: “We go into this year’s Six Nations with some clear objectives in terms of the improvements we are looking for in our performances. The players are crystal clear in terms of how we want to play and what we want our game to look like.
“They have trained exceptionally hard and every session we have improved our accuracy and execution. What we now need to find out is which players can put the best version of our game on the field come the big occasion. Playing Scotland in Scotland is one such occasion. We’re massively respectful of them, we know how tough it’ll be if you’re not on your game.
“Ultimately, I don’t think motivation is in the question for any of the players in the side. We had a great autumn series, so everyone is chomping at the bit and we’ve got a World Cup coming in six months. If people don’t feel inspired, then I think it would shine through and the only thing shining through is that everyone wants to get going and can’t wait for it.”
England captain Sarah Hunter: “Scotland have been on an upward curve since the autumn qualifiers. Everyone had them as underdogs to be written off and that’s something that has driven and motivated them.
“When a lot of them came back to Loughborough they were buoyed and full of energy. For us to go to Edinburgh and underestimate them would be naive. We saw France go there two years ago and draw the game, so we know on home soil they’re competitive.
“They’ve had the best preparation of any team in the competition so we’ll respect them. We’ll do our due diligence and make sure we’re in the right place which we will be. We’re very focused and looking forward to getting back out there.”
Previous encounters
- 3 April 2021: England 52-10 Scotland (Six Nations)
- 10 February 2020: Scotland 0-53 England (Six Nations)
- 16 March 2019: England 80-0 Scotland (Six Nations)
- 23 February 2018: Scotland 8-43 England (Six Nations)
- 11 March 2017: England 64-0 Scotland (Six Nations)
- 5 February 2016: Scotland 0-32 England (Six Nations)
- 13 March 2015: England 42-13 Scotland (Six Nations)
- 9 February 2014: Scotland 0-63 England (Six Nations)
- 2 February 2013: England 76-0 Scotland (Six Nations)
- 5 February 2012: Scotland 0-47 England (Six Nations)
Key stats
- The Red Roses have won their last 23 meetings against Scotland
- Scotland's last win against England was in 1999 when they won 15-13
- In nine of the last 12 meetings, England have managed to prevent Scotland from scoring a point
- England have won four of the last five 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 17 titles with 15 of those wins a Grand Slam
- Scotland's sole title in this competition was when they won the Home Nations Championship in 1998
Teams
Red Roses
15. Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 18 caps)
14. Heather Cowell (Harlequins, 2 caps)
13. Emily Scarratt (VC; Loughborough Lightning, 96 caps)
12. Holly Aitchison (Saracens, 4 caps)
11. Abby Dow (Wasps, 22 caps)
10. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 10 caps)
9. Leanne Infante (Bristol Bears, 48 caps)
1. Maud Muir (Wasps, 4 caps)
2. Lark Davies (Loughborough Lightning, 35 caps)
3. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 40 caps)
4. Rosie Galligan (Harlequins, 1 cap)
5. Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 50 caps)
6. Poppy Cleall (Saracens, 50 caps)
7. Marlie Packer (Saracens, 79 caps)
8. Sarah Hunter (C; Loughborough Lightning, 130 caps)
Finishers
16. Connie Powell (Gloucester-Hartpury, 1 cap)
17. Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins, 64 caps)
18. Bryony Cleall (Wasps, 5 caps)
19. Sarah Beckett (Harlequins, 22 caps)
20. Alex Matthews (Worcester Warriors, 45 caps)
21. Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 1 cap)
22. Amber Reed (Bristol Bears, 58 caps)
23. Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, uncapped)
Scotland
15. Chloe Rollie (Harlequins)
14. Rhona Lloyd (Loughborough Lightning)
13. Hannah Smith (Watsonians)
12. Lisa Thomson (DMP Sharks)
11. Megan Gaffney (Heriots)
10. Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning)
9. Jenny Maxwell (Loughborough Lightning)
1. Leah Bartlett (Loughborough Lightning)
2. Lana Skeldon (Worcester Warriors)
3. Christine Belisle (Loughbrough Lightning)
4. Emma Wassell (Loughborough Lightning)
5. Louise McMillan (Hillhead Jordanhill)
6. Rachel Malcolm (C; Loughborough Lightning)
7. Rachel McLachlan (Unattached)
8. Jade Konkel (Harlequins)
Replacements
16. Molly Wright (Watsonians)
17. Lisa Cockburn (Worcester Warriors)
18. Katie Dougan (Gloucester-Hartpury)
19. Lyndsay O'Donnell (Worcester Warriors)
20. Eva Donaldson (Unattached)
21. Sarah Law (DMP Sharks)
22. Meryl Smith (Worcester Warriors)
23. Shona Campbell (Edinburgh University)
