England will look to continue their red-hot start to the 2023 Women’s Six Nations, as they take on Italy today with kick off fast approaching. The Red Roses are looking to retain their Six Nations title for an fifth consecutive year, with Italy hoping to bounce back after an opening round defeat to France.
England’s impressive victory over Scotland in Round 1, saw Simon Middleton’s side dispatch their old enemies in a 58-7 landslide win. England ran in a ‘perfect 10’ of tries, which included a hat-trick for new captain Marlie Packer. The back-rower has taken over full control of the Red Roses reigns, following the retirement of co-captain Sarah Hunter last weekend, in the number eight’s hometown of Newcastle.
England Head Coach Simon Middleton has been forced to make changes from the side that beat Scotland, with Poppy Cleall and Amber Reed both ruled out with injury. Hunter’s retirement opens up a space in the back row, which has been filled by the 2021 World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year Zoe Aldcroft.
Bristol Bears lock Delaney Burns is set to make her England debut against the ‘Azzurri’, and is one of many new fresh faces amongst the England camp. Harlequins’ Emily Robinson is too hoping to make her debut, as she is among the substitutes for the trip to Franklin’s Gardens. Last weekend Saracens prop Kelsey Clifford made her Red Roses debut, coming off the bench at Kingston Park.
“We’re really looking forward to Sunday’s game against Italy in Northampton,” Middleton said on England’s official club website.
“It’s great to have Northampton Saints hosting this fixture, especially as they have done a great deal to develop rugby for women and girls in the area. We had a memorable day at Franklin’s Gardens in the 2021 autumn international against New Zealand and hopefully we can put on a show.
“We were pleased to get our campaign up and running with a good win against Scotland last weekend which was a fitting send-off for long-time captain Sarah Hunter. Marlie Packer will now take over the role for the rest of the tournament and will want to stamp her own brand of leadership on the team starting against Italy.”
The England Women’s Squad has been hit with a series of injuries or absentees for the 2023 Six Nations, as Hannah Botterman, Abby Ward, Helena Rowland and Emily Scarratt are all noteable players missing from the squad. Scarratt discussed her reaction to the Scotland match, and the injuries that have transpired.
“I thought as a first hit out the girls went really well. I thought that there was some really good intent behind what they were trying to do. Obviously, scoring 10 tries is always a great thing, but actually the way in which they went about some of it was awesome as well.
“Obviously a shame to see Amber and Poppy leave the field as they did, wishing them well and hope that maybe we’ll see them at some point in the tournament later on. But yeah, I felt everyone stepped up, as I said, four new caps (against Scotland), which is pretty cool.”
Italy took France to their limit last weekend, with 12-22 victory only confirmed for ‘les bleus’ just five minutes from full time. Like the Italian men’s side, the women’s team are in the middle of a ‘Renaissance’ of sorts. They are by no means the guaranteed underdogs of the Women’s Six Nations, and will prove to be a tough test for the Red Roses.
Emily Scarratt discussed the upcoming Italian opposition:
“That France v Italy game, I mean, the weather was terrible, but it was tight for most of the game. So Italy, you know, they’re always there or there abouts. Fifth in the world at the moment, so, you know, they’ve really got some good of players in that squad at the moment and the ability to play.”
“I think it certainly won’t be easy. It never is against Italy, they’re really well organised and are a great defensive side, and, their attacking ability and flair and kind of unstructured nature is tough. It’s tough to play against. There’ll be wanting to bounce back as well.”