"Twickenham Bound" - Red Roses Squad Named for Ireland Test in Women's Six Nations - Ruck
Women's Rugby Women's Six Nations

“Twickenham Bound” – Red Roses Squad Named for Ireland Test in Women’s Six Nations

18 April 2024
Tom Sansom

Red Roses head coach John Mitchell has made just two changes to his starting XV, that will take on Ireland at Twickenham Stadium in the Women’s Six Nations. England Women return to ‘HQ’, with more than 46,500 tickets sold for this hotly anticipated fourth round clash.

Captain Marlie Packer is back in the seven jersey, meaning a switch from back row to lock for Zoe Aldcroft, while Lark Atkin-Davies returns at hooker. The backline remains the same for the third match in a row with the back three of Jess Breach Abby Dow and Ellie Kildunne scoring five of England’s eight tries in the 46-0 victory over Scotland last time out.

Ellie Kildunne of England Red Roses goes over for a try and celebrates the try during the international friendly match between England Red Roses and Canada women at Sandy Park, Exeter on 23rd Sept 2023. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

Seventeen of the 23 were involved in last year’s Grand Slam-deciding Twickenham clash with France. The Red Roses are set for a reunion with their former coach Scott Bemand, who has since taken up the helm of Ireland Women.

Head coach Mitchell said: “We are excited for the opportunity of another crack at Twickenham in front of our awesome fans. We want to continue to get better in our game and make the most of the experience to benefit us in the future.”

Red Roses team to take on Ireland

15 Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 41 caps)
14 Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women, 43 caps)
13 Megan Jones (Leicester Tigers, 19 caps)
12 Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 20 caps)
11 Jess Breach (Saracens, 36 caps)
10 Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 28 caps)
9 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 70 caps)
1 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 45 caps)
2 Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 56 caps)
3 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 28 caps)
4 Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 51 caps)
5 Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 16 caps)
6 Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 16 caps)
7 Marlie Packer (Saracens, 102 caps) – captain
8 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 65 caps)

Replacements

16 Connie Powell (Harlequins, 17 caps)
17 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 13 caps)
18 Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 6 caps)
19 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 11 caps)
20 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 3 caps)
21 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 19 caps)
22 Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 109 caps)
23 Sydney Gregson (Saracens, 5 caps)