Red Roses team to play Scotland

Maud Muir will earn her 50th international cap and Demelza Short will become Red Rose #269 when John Mitchell’s side take on Scotland at Murrayfield Stadium on Saturday.

As a 20-year-old, Gloucester-Hartpury prop Muir made her debut for England in a 43-12 win over New Zealand in 2021. She has since become an integral part of the Red Roses pack since, becoming a multiple Guinness Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam winner and a World Cup champion whilst also earning a place in the World Rugby Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year in 2024 and 2025.

Bristol Bears forward Short was included in England Under-21 camp in January and received a senior call-up ahead of the Six Nations after impressing in the PWR. The 19-year-old’s first cap will come from blindside flanker.

Aside from Muir and Short, there are three further changes to the starting XV that defeated Ireland in front of a record crowd at Allianz Stadium in the 2026 Six Nations opener. 

Full-back Emma Sing is promoted from the replacements, meaning a switch to the wing for Ellie Kildunne, and Zoe Harrison takes the 10 shirt. 

Abi Burton will line-up in the second row alongside Lilli Ives Campion in the forwards with Maddie Feaunati switching to Number 8. 

Red Roses centurion Marlie Packer, Exeter Chiefs’ Flo Robinson and Mia Venner of Gloucester-Hartpury are named on the bench. 

Mitchell said: “Last week was a positive start for us at home against Ireland. It was a special occasion to open the tournament at Allianz and a great opportunity for this group to come together, but we know there’s plenty we can improve. Our focus this week has been on being honest about those learnings and turning them into actions as we prepare for Scotland.

“We’ve had to adapt to a number of changes with injuries to teammates who are hugely valued within the group, but that’s part of the culture we’re building. It creates opportunities for others to step up and highlights the depth we’recontinuing 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."

He added: “We’re expecting a brilliant atmosphere in Scotland, and it’s fantastic to see the game continuing to grow, with what will be a record crowd for a standalone women’s sporting event there. That’s something everyone involved should be proud of, and it sets the stage for a great contest on Saturday.”

Red Roses team to play Scotland 

15 Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 14 caps)  
14 Jess Breach (Saracens, 54 caps)  
13 Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women, 34 caps) – captain  
12 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 47 caps)  
11 Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 58 caps)  
10 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 66 caps)  
9 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 40 caps)  
1 Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 22 caps)  
2 Amy Cokayne (Sale Sharks, 90 caps)  
3 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 49 caps)  
4 Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women, 5 caps)  
5 Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning, 6 caps)  
6 Demelza Short (Bristol Bears, uncapped)  
7 Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 29 caps)  
8 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 24 caps)

Replacements 

16 Connie Powell (Harlequins, 20 caps)  
17 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 24 caps)  
18 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 80 caps)  
19 Haineala Lutui (Loughborough Lightning, 1 cap)  
20 Marlie Packer (Saracens, 112 caps) 
21 Flo Robinson (Exeter Chiefs, 1 cap) 
22 Holly Aitchison (Sale Sharks, 45 caps)  
23 Mia Venner (Gloucester-Hartpury, 2 caps)