Olympian Jade Shekells to make first England start vs Scotland

England head coach John Mitchell has once again rung the changes for his side’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations encounter with Scotland in Leicester on Saturday.

Jade Shekells has been included as one of nine changes to the team that started the Red Roses’ 49-5 victory in Cork last weekend, and she will line up at centre alongside fellow Olympian Meg Jones.

Elsewhere in the backs there are returns for winger Claudia MacDonald and half-backs Lucy Packer and Holly Aitchison –  who will wear the No.10 jersey for the first time this Six Nations.

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

Up front, props Kelsey Clifford and Sarah Bern will pack down either side of hooker Lark Atkin-Davies, while Rosie Galligan is selected alongside Abbie Ward in the second row.

Former captain Marlie Packer returns to the back row alongside Maddie Feaunati, who comes back in for Alex Matthews at No.8, and current skipper Zoe Aldcroft who will once again play blindside flanker.

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Meanwhile, this season’s Premiership Women’s Rugby top try-scorer May Campbell has been included on the replacements’ bench while Emily Scarratt also returns to the matchday squad.

Scarratt’s inclusion means Helena Rowland will provide fly-half cover as Zoe Harrison drops out of the squad.

Red Roses team to play Scotland

15 Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 51 caps)
14 Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women, 50 caps)
13 Megan Jones (Leicester Tigers, 23 caps)
12 Jade Shekells (Gloucester-Hartpury, 1 cap)
11 Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 33 caps)
10 Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 38 caps)
9 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 29 caps)
1 Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 12 caps)
2 Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 64 caps)
3 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 69 caps)
4 Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 22 caps)
5 Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 72 caps)
6 Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 61 caps) – captain
7 Marlie Packer (Saracens, 109 caps)
8 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 13 caps)

Replacements
16 May Campbell (Saracens, 2 caps)
17 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 54 caps)
18 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 38 caps)
19 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 20 caps)
20 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 73 caps)
21 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 78 caps)
22 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 37 caps)
23 Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 117 caps)