Red Roses head coach John Mitchell has named a 35-player squad for the upcoming 2024 Women’s Six Nations Championship. Marlie Packer retains her spot as captain, after leading England to the 2023 Six Nations Grand Slam and inaugural WXV1 title.
Packer will reach the outstanding accolade of 100 caps when she next takes to the field for her country. The Saracens skipper could achieve the honour in England’s opening match, when they take on Italy out in Parma.
There are three uncapped players in the Red Roses squad, including the Exeter Chiefs duo of Maddie Feaunati and Lizzie Hanlon. Vicky Laflin of Trailfinders Women makes up the trio, who have all been in top form in the PWR.
Sophie Bridger and Sydney Gregson return to the international fold, and are both searching for their first appearence in the Women’s Six Nations. Zoe Harrison (Saracens), Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning) and Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears) feature in a Red Roses tournament squad for the first time since the 2022 Rugby World Cup final.
The squad of 35 has a combined total of 1,109 caps and contains 19 forwards and 16 backs.
“The Six Nations is an awesome tournament and we have named squad where competition for a place in the matchday 23 exists in every position,” Mitchell said.
“The girls are showing signs of building good habits when they come into camp and bring with them a great attitude and fantastic energy, which follows on from the commitment they show to their club week on week.
“The Red Roses have excelled in this tournament for a long time. There is a hunger to stay the best, but we must earn the right to win Test matches. We are focused on improving performance and putting teams under more pressure to create a variety of scoring opportunities.
“There is a great excitement around the group, and we are relishing the challenge of the next seven weeks.”
The Red Roses open their campaign with a trip to Parma to take on Italy before hosting Wales at Ashton Gate, Bristol, on Saturday 30 March (kick-off 16.45 GMT).
Edinburgh’s Hive Stadium will be the venue for England’s visit to Scotland ahead of a return to London to face Ireland at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday 20 April (kick-off 14.15 BST).
The final game of the Championship sees the Red Roses take on last year’s runners-up France on Saturday 27 April (kick-off 16.45 BST) at Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux.
Red Roses’ 2024 Guinness Women’s Six Nations Squad
Forwards
Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 48 caps)
Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 54 caps)
Sarah Beckett (Gloucester-Hartpury, 34 caps)
Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 42 caps)
Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 10 caps)
Poppy Cleall (Saracens, 65 caps)
Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 3 caps)
Amy Cokayne (Leicester Tigers, 72 caps)
Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 14 caps)
Lizzie Hanlon (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 13 caps)
Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 62 caps)
Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 25 caps)
Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 30 caps)
Marlie Packer (Saracens, 99 caps)
Connie Powell (Harlequins, 14 caps)
Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 11 caps)
Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 61 caps)
Backs
Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 25 caps)
Sophie Bridger (Saracens, 2 caps)
Jess Breach (Saracens, 33 caps)
Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women, 40 caps)
Sydney Gregson (Saracens, 3 caps)
Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 46 caps)
Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 18 caps)
Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 67 caps)
Megan Jones (Leicester Tigers, 16 caps)
Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 38 caps)
Vicky Laflin (Trailfinders Women, uncapped)
Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 16 caps)
Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 28 caps)
Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 108 caps)
Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 6 caps)
Ella Wyrwas (Saracens, 6 caps)
Unavailable for the Guinness Women’s Six Nations due to injury:
Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 61 caps)
Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 32 caps)
Nancy McGillivray (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Katie Buchanan is currently injured but could return during the Six Nations window.
Maisy Allen, Delaney Burns, Lilli Ives Campion and Liz Crake will come into camp as cover for the week.