Rowland to hit half-century as Red Roses make six changes for Italy

Helena Rowland will make her 50th appearance for England’s Red Roses against Italy in Round 4 of the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

Since making her debut in 2020, the versatile Loughborough Lightning back has scored 186 points for England and has been named to start in all three of England’s matches this calendar year.

In total head coach John Mitchell has made six changes to his starting XV for Saturday’s clash in Parma. Three of these changes are in the forward pack, where Kelsey Clifford and Maud Muir are installed as the starting props ahead of Mackenzie Carson and Sarah Bern.

There is a starting spot for Demelza Short at blindside flanker as Sadia Kabeya continues her rehabilitation in camp after an injury meant she left the Red Roses’ 62-24 win over Wales in the first half.

Delaney Burns and Abi Burton continue their second row partnership as Lilli Ives Campion also remains in camp with a knee injury.

It has also been confirmed that experienced back-row forward Alex Matthews will miss the remainder of the tournament. The 32-year-old requires surgery for the shoulder injury sustained in Round 1 against Ireland at Allianz Stadium.

In the backs Zoe Harrison trades places with Holly Aitchison at fly-half. So far this Women’s Six Nations the duo have shared playmaking responsibilities. Harrison’s start in Round 2 against Scotland saw the 28-year-old slot 12 conversions at Scottish Gas Murayfield.

The final changes see Ellie Kildunne move to wing to accommodate the inclusion of Emma Sing at full-back. It is a repeat of the Red Roses’ experiment against Scotland in Round 2 when Kildunne scored two tries in Edinburgh.

Mia Venner completes the back three as Claudia Moloney-MacDonald takes a place among the replacements and Millie David drops out of the team entirely.

John Mitchell, England Red Roses head coach, said: “This week is about re-establishing our processes and sharpening our focus now that we have new purpose. We’ve had a deliberate reset around learning where we will need to improve, we trust the way we play, and now it’s time to get back to it.

“We’ve built momentum throughout this tournament by stacking strong moments together, and that will be crucial again this week. Italy will be full of confidence after their result against Scotland, and they’ll challenge us in different ways.

“For us, it’s about staying locked in on our key actions: applying pressure and intentionally attacking the space with speed. Ultimately, it always comes down to showing courage in the moments that matter.”

There is also a potential debut for England U21 Women back-row Haidee Head from the replacements.

The 21-year-old qualifies for England thanks to her Kenilworth-born mother and has impressed for Trailfinders Women in Premiership Women’s Rugby following her arrival from the Queensland Reds last summer.

Red Roses match day squad to play Italy

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 Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women, 7 caps)
5 Delaney Burns (Bristol Bears, 4 caps)
6 Demelza Short (Bristol Bears, 2 caps)
7 Marlie Packer (Saracens, 114 caps)
8 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 26 caps)

Replacements

16 Connie Powell (Harlequins, 22 caps)
17 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester Hartpury, 26 caps)
18 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 82 caps)
19 Haineala Lutui (Loughborough Lightning, 3 caps)
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)