Red Roses name team for record-breaking Six Nations opener

A tournament record crowd of more than 75,000 is expected as John Mitchell’s team begins a new cycle under captain Megan Jones.

The outside centre leads the side with support from vice-captains Amy Cokayne and Alex Matthews, who start at hooker and number eight.

Alongside them, Sadia Kabeya at openside flanker and lock Morwenna Talling are the only other forwards in the starting pack who featured from the outset in last September’s World Cup final.

Lilli Ives Campion is selected in the second row, with Maddie Feaunati in the back row, while Kelsey Clifford and Sarah Bern are named as the starting props.

In the backs, Jones is partnered in midfield by Helena Rowland. The back three consists of Ellie Kildunne, Jess Breach and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald. Lucy Packer starts at scrum-half, with Holly Aitchison at fly-half.

Among the replacements, England Under-21 international Haineala Lutui could make her Red Roses debut. The Loughborough Lightning forward has impressed in the PWR this season, recording a league-high 337 metres from 226 carries.

“It’s fantastic opportunity to be returning to Allianz Stadium in front of our fans for the first time since the 2025 Rugby World Cup final,” Mitchell said.

“We’ve all felt the lasting impact of 2025, and that’s reflected in the incredible ticket sales for Saturday’s match. The players relish, and absolutely deserve, the opportunity to perform in front of record crowds, but they also understand the responsibility that comes with that stage.

“We know success in this competition is never given; it has to be earned every time. We’ve prepared well as a group, and the players are ready to express themselves fully. We cannot wait to get started.”

15 Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 57 caps)
14 Jess Breach (Saracens, 53 caps)
13 Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women, 33 caps) – captain
12 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 46 caps)
11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 36 caps)
10 Holly Aitchison (Sale Sharks, 44 caps)
9 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 38 caps)
1 Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 21 caps)
2 Amy Cokayne (Sale Sharks, 89 caps)
3 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 79 caps)
4 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 28 caps)
5 Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning, 5 caps)
6 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 23 caps)
7 Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 28 caps)
8 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 81 caps)

16 Connie Powell (Harlequins, 19 caps) 17 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 23 caps)
18 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 48 caps)
19 Haineala Lutui (Loughborough Lightning, uncapped)
20 Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women, 4 caps)
21 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 88 caps)
22 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 65 caps)
23 Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 13 caps)