Leg injury rules out England back-row ahead of Italy kick-off

England back-row Maddie Feaunati has been ruled out of the Red Roses’ Guinness Women’s Six Nations meeting with Italy ahead of kick-off.

The 23-year-old has been one of England’s top performers so far at the 2026 Championship and has been withdrawn due to a leg injury.

She was named Player of the Match after the Red Roses’ 84-7 win over Scotland in Edinburgh.

Feaunati was due to start at No.8 for England for the Round 4 clash at Parma’s Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

As a result of the injury, Red Roses boss John Mitchell has been forced into a reshuffle in his forwards pack. Haineala Lutui gets a first England start and will partner Delaney Burns in the second row.

Trailfinders Women forward Abi Burton, who has started the last two games for England at lock, moves to the No.8 spot.

Christiana Balogun takes Lutui’s vacated spot on the bench. The 28-year-old will win her first Test cap if called upon.

Balogun has been a key player for Bristol Bears in recent years in Premiership Women’s Rugby and will earn her first opportunity in an England shirt just over three years after she received the all-clear from Burkitt lymphoma.

With Round 5’s clash against France eight days away, Mitchell and his coaching staff will be sweating on the fitness of Feaunati.

Earlier this week it was confirmed by England that stalwart back-row Alex Matthews did require surgery on a shoulder injury sustained against Ireland on the opening weekend.

England have battled with injuries all tournament. In addition to Matthews, the Round 1 game at Allianz Stadium saw Morwenna Talling and Natasha Hunt sustain long-term injuries.

Hannah Botterman and May Campbell were both later ruled out of the tournament with injuries.

Loughborough Lightning lock forward, Lilli Ives Campion, has not been seen on the pitch since Round 2’s win in Edinburgh, while Sadie Kabeya sustained a shoulder injury against Wales.

Updated England match day 23

15 Emma Sing (Gloucester Hartpury, 15 caps)
14 Mia Venner (Gloucester Hartpury, 3 caps)
13 Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women, 36 caps) – captain
12 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 49 caps)
11 Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 60 caps)
10 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 68 caps)
9 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 42 caps)
1 Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 24 caps)
2 Amy Cokayne (Sale Sharks, 92 caps)
3 Maud Muir (Gloucester Hartpury, 51 caps)
4 Haineala Lutui (Loughborough Lightning, 3 caps)
5 Delaney Burns (Bristol Bears, 4 caps)
6 Demelza Short (Bristol Bears, 2 caps)
7 Marlie Packer (Saracens, 114 caps)
8 Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women, 7 caps)

Replacements

16 Connie Powell (Harlequins, 22 caps)
17 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester Hartpury, 26 caps)
18 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 82 caps)
19 Christiana Balogun (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
20 Haidee Head (Trailfinders Women, uncapped)
21 Flo Robinson (Exeter Chiefs, 3 caps)
22 Holly Aitchison (Sale Sharks, 47 caps)
23 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 38 caps)