Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Women's Six Nations: England captain Sarah Hunter will start for first time in 13 months

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Thursday, 08 April 2021 03:09

England captain Sarah Hunter will return for the first time in 13 months as head coach Simon Middleton makes sweeping changes for Saturday's Women's Six Nations match in Italy.

Hunter - back in action after a neural injury and hamstring strain - is one of 10 alterations to the XV that started the 52-10 win against Scotland.

In the backs, Helena Rowland retains her place as England's starting 10.

England will reach the Women's Six Nations final with victory in Parma.

The competition is being played in a new format this year, with two pool games and a final, after being delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

"This game in Italy gives us an opportunity to look at some other combinations and we've decided to rotate the squad," said Middleton, whose side will travel to New Zealand for the World Cup in 2022.

"We're delighted to have Sarah Hunter back in the team. She loves playing for her country and has worked so hard to get back playing. "

Hunter's return at number eight means last weekend's player of the match Poppy Cleall is pushed to the bench.

The choice of Rowland at 10, with Zoe Harrison among the replacements, is significant as England continue their search for a starting fly-half following the retirement of Katy Daley-Mclean.

Harrison was left out of the matchday 23 against Scotland for a minor breach of coronavirus protocols.

Full-back Ellie Kildunne replaces Sarah McKenna to start for the back-to-back Grand Slam champions, while Jess Breach moves to the right wing to replace Lydia Thompson, who drops out of the 23 altogether.

Abby Dow returns on the left wing and Emily Scarratt, who captained the side against Scotland in Hunter's absence, remains at outside centre.

Scarratt is joined by Meg Jones at 12 instead of Lagi Tuima, who does not make it into the matchday squad.

Amy Cokayne starts at hooker, pushing Lark Davies to the bench, while Shaunagh Brown starts at tight-head prop in place of Bryony Cleall.

Zoe Aldcroft moves from the back row to lock to replace Abbie Ward, with Ward out of the 23, while Alex Matthews comes in to fill the void left at flanker.

Vicky Fleetwood replaces Marlie Packer at open-side and prop Hannah Botterman, who returns to the squad following injury, could make her first England appearance of the season off the bench

England team to play Italy

England: Kildunne; Breach, Scarratt (vice-capt), Jones, Dow; Rowland, Riley; Cornborough, Cokayne, Brown, Aldcroft, O'Donnell, Matthews, Fleetwood, Hunter (capt).

Replacements: Davies, Botterman, B Cleall, Millar-Mills, Cleall, MacDonald, Harrison, McKenna.

Read 289 times

Soccer

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLiverpool boss Arne Slot praised his team for mounting a second-hal...

Vini, Mbappé connect as Madrid ease past Leganés

Vini, Mbappé connect as Madrid ease past Leganés

Kylian Mbappé ended his goal drought with a thunderous strike and midfielder Jude Bellingham scored...

Marta, Orlando Pride win 1st NWSL Championship

Marta, Orlando Pride win 1st NWSL Championship

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsKANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Barbra Banda's goal stood up as the winner to l...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Sources: Hornets' Williams out for rest of season

Sources: Hornets' Williams out for rest of season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCharlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams sustained season-ending te...

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsScotty Pippen Jr. already had plenty of fond memories of watching h...

Baseball

Carty, 1970 NL batting champ with Braves, dies

Carty, 1970 NL batting champ with Braves, dies

EmailPrintRico Carty, who won the 1970 National League batting title when he hit a major-league-best...

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Outfielder Austin Hays and right-hander Kyle Finnegan -...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated