Muir to hit Red Roses milestone as five alterations made to starting side

England Red Roses boss John Mitchell has made five changes to his starting team ahead of a Guinness Women’s Six Nations clash at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

Two of these changes are enforced as a result of injury. Abi Burton comes into the second row for Morwenna Talling and Demelza Short earns her Test debut in the back-row as Alex Matthews sits this week out with a shoulder issue.

Last week in their Women’s Six Nations opener against Ireland at Allianz Stadium, England were 33-12 winners in front of a new tournament record crowd, although Mitchell was left scratching his head as Talling and Natasha Hunt left the pitch with injuries he later described as “long-term”.

The loss of Talling was particularly challenging for England as a new-look combination of the Sale Sharks forward and 22-year-old Lilli Ives Campion lasted only 43 minutes. This came after senior locks Zoe Stratford, Rosie Galligan and Abbie Ward confirmed they were pregnant leading into the tournament.

Short, 19, starts as a flanker with Maddie Feaunati moving to No. 8. Haineala Lutui, who replaced Talling last week to make her England debut, maintains her place among the replacements.

There is also a change in the front-row as Maud Muir trades places with Sarah Bern to earn her 50th cap. The Gloucester Hartpury prop was an integral figure in the Red Roses’ Women’s Rugby World Cup win last year and has earned a place in the World Rugby Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year in 2024 and 2025.

In the backs there are a pair of changes as Emma Sing starts at full-back. Former World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year, Ellie Kildunne, is moved to wing to accommodate Sing’s inclusion.

Zoe Harrison is selected ahead of Holly Aitchison as the starting fly-half. England captain Megan Jones continues to partner Helena Rowland in the centres.

Due to the injury of Hunt, one-cap scrum-half Flo Robinson is named among the replacements, where 112-cap Marlie Packer also takes a space. Mia Venner is in line to earn her third England cap on Saturday.

John Mitchell, England Red Roses head coach, 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’re continuing 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.”

Red Roses squad v Scotland

15 Emma Sing
14 Jess Breach
13 Megan Jones (C)
12 Helena Rowland
11 Ellie Kildunne
10 Zoe Harrison
9 Lucy Packer
1 Kelsey Clifford
2 Amy Cokayne
3 Maud Muir
4 Abi Burton
5 Lilli Ives Campion
6 Demelza Short (Uncapped)
7 Sadia Kabeya
8 Maddie Feaunati

Replacements

16 Connie Powell
17 Mackenzie Carson
18 Sarah Bern
19 Haineala Lutui
20 Marlie Packer
21 Flo Robinson
22 Holly Aitchison
23 Mia Venner