David to make England debut as Red Roses make seven changes for Wales

Highly-rated Millie David will make her England debut this weekend when the Red Roses welcome Wales to Ashton Gate Stadium this Saturday.

The 20-year-old Bristol Bears wing has scored a hugely impressive 26 tries in just 31 Premiership Women’s Rugby appearances. Last season David scored 17 tries in the English top flight, joint-most with Saracens‘ May Campbell. So far in 2025/26 the youngster has dotted down nine times.

David is one of seven changes that John Mitchell has made to the starting side that beat Scotland 84-7 in Round 2 of the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations. England will play in front of another bumper crowd this weekend with over 25,000 tickets sold for the clash in the West Country.

Ellie Kildunne has moved back to full-back ahead of Emma Sing and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald has replaced Jess Breach on the wing.

After a faultless weekend in Edinburgh that included 12 conversions, Zoe Harrison rejoins the replacements, with Holly Aitchison handed the keys at fly-half. She will partner Lucy Packer.

In the pack Mackenzie Carson earns her first start of the Championship at loosehead prop after strong performances from the replacements against Ireland and Scotland. Sarah Bern returns as starting tighthead prop with Maud Muir returning to the bench.

Bristol lock Delaney Burns will make her first Test appearance since 2023 and will partner makeshift second row Abi Burton. Lilli Ives Campion drops out of the squad entirely with a minor knee injury.

The final change sees 113-cap flanker Marlie Packer come into the starting back-row. A try scorer from the bench at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, the two-time Women’s Rugby World Cup winner’s inclusion sees Demelza Short move to the replacements.

19-year-old Loughborough Lightning forward Haineala Lutui and 25-year-old Harlequins hooker Connie Powell are named on the bench for the third consecutive game.

John Mitchell, Red Roses head coach, said: “Last weekend was a special performance by the team at Murrayfield and one the whole squad and staff can be proud of, but we’ve already left that behind us.

“This week is about being clear on where our game is strong and where we need to improve. Wales are a side that over-commit at the contest, which will challenge us in a different way.

“It’s one we’re looking forward to, and an opportunity to keep evolving our game beyond the level we’ve started to build. Under Sean Lynn, Wales are improving, playing with greater clarity and enthusiasm, and we know we’ll have to earn that right again.

“For us, it’s about elevating our game. That means being courageous in our skillsets, building better connections, and owning our decisions. I love this side when it embraces those challenges, especially in front of a sold-out Ashton Gate.”

Red Roses matchday squad v Wales

15. Ellie Kildunne
14. Millie David (Uncapped)
13. Megan Jones (Captain)
12. Helena Rowland
11. Claudia Moloney-MacDonald
10. Holly Aitchison
9. Lucy Packer
1. Mackenzie Carson
2. Amy Cokayne
3. Sarah Bern
4. Abi Burton
5. Delaney Burns
6. Sadia Kabeya
7. Marlie Packer
8. Maddie Feaunati

Replacements

16. Connie Powell
17. Kelsey Clifford
18. Maud Muir
19. Haineala Lutui
20. Demelza Short
21. Flo Robinson
22. Zoe Harrison
23. Jess Breach