Red Roses name matchday 23 for Women’s Six Nations match vs Wales

England head coach Simon Middleton has named his 23-player Red Roses matchday squad to take on Wales at Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff (Saturday 15 April, kick-off 2.15pm and live on BBC Two).

 
Marlie Packer captains the side at open-side flanker while Alex Matthews makes her first appearance of the tournament at No.8. Sadia Kabeya is blind-side flanker.
 

Emma Sing makes her first international start at full back with Jess Breach (right wing) and Abby Dow (left wing) forming the back three.
 

Lucy Packer is at scrum half with Holly Aitchison and Tatyana Heard once again the 10-12 axis. Lagi Tuima makes her third consecutive start at outside centre.
 

Bristol Bears’ Lark Davies is the starting hooker with Mackenzie Carson (loose-head prop) and Sarah Bern (tight-head prop)
 

Vice-captain Zoe Aldcroft and Cath O’Donnell are the second row combination.

Saracens hooker May Campbell could earn her first senior international cap as she takes her place among the substitutes.

The trip to the Welsh capital also sees the return of Hannah Botterman, Maud Muir and Ellie Kildunne following injury lay-offs, they are named as finishers.


Amy Cokayne is unavailable for selection as part of England Rugby’s agreement with the Royal Air Force. The Red Roses hooker will be representing the Royal Air Force Senior Women in their Inter Service rugby union match against the British Army at Kingsholm on the same day.

England team to play Wales

15. Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 4 caps)
14. Jess Breach (Saracens, 26 caps)
13. Lagi Tuima (Harlequins, 14 caps)
12. Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 11 caps)
11. Abby Dow (Harlequins, 32 caps)
10. Holly Aitchison (Saracens, 17 caps)
9. Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 11 caps)

1. Mackenzie Carson (Saracens, 2 caps)
2. Lark Davies (Bristol Bears, 46 caps)
3. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 54 caps)
4. Zoe Aldcroft (VC; Gloucester Hartpury, 40 caps)
5. Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 25 caps)
6. Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 10 caps)
7. Marlie Packer (C; Saracens, 91 caps)
8. Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 56 caps)

Finishers 
16. May Campbell (Saracens, uncapped)
17. Hannah Botterman (Saracens, 34 caps)
18. Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 17 caps)
19. Delaney Burns (Bristol Bears, 1 cap)
20. Sarah Beckett (Gloucester-Hartpury, 26 caps)
21. Ella Wyrwas (Saracens, 2 caps)
22. Sarah McKenna (Saracens, 44 caps)
23. Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 31 caps)
 
Players currently injured/ undertaking rehab and therefore unavailable for selection for this fixture: Bryony Cleall, Poppy Cleall, Detysha Harper, Claudia MacDonald, Amber Reed, Helena Rowland, Hannah Sims. 

Other long-term injury absentees: Vicky Fleetwood, Rosie Galligan, Zoe Harrison, Emily Scarratt.