"Aldcroft's 50th Cap" - Red Roses Team Named for Women's Six Nations Clash with Wales - Ruck
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“Aldcroft’s 50th Cap” – Red Roses Team Named for Women’s Six Nations Clash with Wales

28 March 2024
Tom Sansom

England lock Zoe Aldcroft will earn her 50th cap this Saturday, when the Red Roses host Wales at Ashton Gate in round two of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations. The Gloucester-Hartpury star debuted in a 2016 Summer Tour victory over France and was awarded World Player of the Year for 2021.

Aldcroft retains her place in the number four jersey, as head coach John Mitchell makes seven changes from the opening round win against Italy. Tatyana Heard and Megan Jones form a new centre partnership while Natasha Hunt and Holly Aitchison pair up in the half-back positions.

Zoe Aldcroft of England Red Roses on the break trying to evade Gabrielle Senft of Canada’s Womens Rugby during the international friendly match between England Red Roses and Canada women at Sandy Park, Exeter on 23rd Sept 2023. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

Maud Muir and Rosie Galligan come into the front five with Alex Matthews promoted from the bench to Number 8. The back three of Jess Breach, Abby Dow and Ellie Kildunne remains consistent. Hannah Botterman, Lark Atkin-Davies, Sadia Kabeya and captain Marlie Packer also continue their starting roles.

There is no space in the squad for returning England centurion Emily Scarratt, as Cardiff-born Jones gets the opportunity to start against the country of her birth. The Red Roses will break another attendance record when they take to the field on Saturday, by taking to the field in front of their largest ever home crowd, for a fixture not played at Twickenham Stadium.

John Mitchell, head coach of England A during England Rugby training session at The Lensbury Hotel, Teddington, London on 24 June 2021. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

“We’re excited to play in front of a home crowd for the first time in this year’s tournament,” head coach Mitchell said.

“To have sold 18,000 tickets with two days to go until matchday shows the appetite for Red Roses rugby in this country.

“The girls have been focused on the opportunity that a match against Wales presents and we have been planning and building on this short week for some time. All teams will be better for their second outing and we’re looking forward to improving our game.”

Abby Dow of England Red Roses on the break during the international friendly match between England Red Roses and Canada women at Sandy Park, Exeter on 23rd Sept 2023. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

Red Roses side to play Wales: 2024 Women’s Six Nations

15 Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 39 caps)

14 Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women, 41 caps)

13 Megan Jones (Leicester Tigers, 17 caps)

12 Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 18 caps)

11 Jess Breach (Saracens, 34 caps)

10 Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 26 caps)

9 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 68 caps)

1 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 43 caps)

2 Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 55 caps)

3 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 26 caps)

4 Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 49 caps)

5 Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 14 caps)

6 Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 14 caps)

7 Marlie Packer (Saracens, 100 caps) – captain

8 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 63 caps


Replacements

16 Connie Powell (Harlequins, 15 caps)

17 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 11 caps)

18 Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 4 caps)

19 Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 62 caps)

20 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 1 cap)

21 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 17 caps)

22 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 47 caps)

23 Sydney Gregson (Saracens, 3 caps)