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Amy Cokayne to make Red Roses return against Scotland

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 25: Amy Cokayne of England dives over to score the second try despite the attentions of Scotland wing Francesca McGhie during the TikTok Women's Six Nations match between England and Scotland at Kingston Park on March 25, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Amy Cokayne will pull on an England jersey for the first time in more than a year when the Red Roses take on Scotland at a sold-out Hive Stadium on Saturday.

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Cokayne is one of two personnel changes to John Mitchell’s side as the defending champions bid to maintain their unbeaten start to the Guinness Women’s Six Nations 2024 in Edinburgh.

Lark Atkin-Davies is the player to make way for returning hooker Cokayne and the Bristol Bears star, who started the victories against Italy and Wales, drops out of the match-day squad altogether.

The only other change also comes in the pack as Abbie Ward is restored to the second row with captain Marlie Packer named among the replacements.

As a result, Zoe Aldcroft – who is in line to skipper the Red Roses for a second time – shifts to blindside flanker and Sadia Kabeya switches to openside.

England’s backs are unchanged from the 46-10 victory against Wales at Ashton Gate a fortnight ago as Holly Aitchison retains the number 10 jersey and Tatyana Heard and Megan Jones continue their centre partnership.

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Cokayne has not played for England since the second round of the 2023 Championship, against Italy at Franklin’s Gardens.

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A calf injury has hampered her involvement since then. Cokayne was a late withdrawal from last September’s second Test against Canada and although included in the squad for the Red Roses’ triumphant WXV 1 campaign, she did not see any action in New Zealand.

Fitness issues have also restricted her involvement with Leicester Tigers in their debut season in Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR).

Cokayne has made just two PWR appearances this season, having only made her Tigers debut against Trailfinders Women at the end of February, but will hope for a repeat of last year’s performance against Scotland when she returns to the Test arena in Edinburgh.

The 72-cap hooker started the corresponding fixture in Newcastle 13 months ago and scored two tries in a 58-7 win for the Red Roses at Kingston Park.

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England head coach Mitchell said: “The fallow week presented a moment to reflect on the opening rounds and grow the elements of our game.

“Our learnings all build towards evolving our performance. We are looking forward to building on this and taking another step forward together against Scotland this weekend.”

England (vs Scotland, Saturday)
15. Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 40 caps)
14. Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women, 42 caps)
13. Megan Jones (Leicester Tigers, 18 caps)
12. Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 19 caps)
11. Jess Breach (Saracens, 35 caps)
10. Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 27 caps)
9. Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 69 caps)
1. Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 44 caps)
2. Amy Cokayne (Leicester Tigers, 72 caps)
3. Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 27 caps)
4. Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 15 caps)
5. Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 63 caps)
6. Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 50 caps) – captain
7. Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 15 caps)
8. Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 63 caps)

Replacements:
16. Connie Powell (Harlequins, 16 caps)
17. Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 12 caps)
18. Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 5 caps)
19. Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 2 caps)
20. Marlie Packer (Saracens, 101 caps)
21. Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 18 caps)
22. Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 48 caps)
23. Sydney Gregson (Saracens, 4 caps)

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H
Head high tackle 3 hours ago
Can Samoa and Tonga ever become contenders when their top talent is skimmed?

I think you have gone in the wrong direction here Nick. I think you need to delve down into the rules etc around Moana Pacifica’s selection policies and then you need to understand that a lot of KIWI BORN rugby players have PI heritage. It appears ok for the 4 home nations to pillage NZ born players constantly without retribution but you want to question whether NZ BORN players should be eligible for NZ? Seems a real agenda in there.

Go back and look at the actual Aims and agenda for MP becoming a entity and you see lots of things enshrined in policy that you arnt mentioning here. EG there is an allowance for a percentage of MP to be NZ eligible. This was done so MP could actually become competitive. Lets be real. If it wasnt this way then MP would not be competitive.

There also seems to be some sort of claim ( mainly from the NH ) that NZ is “cashing in” on MP, which , quite frankly is a major error. Are you aware of how much MP costs NZR Financially?

39 NZ born rugby players played at the last world cup for Samoa or Tonga. PLUS plenty for Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales.

Taumoefolau is a BORN AND BRED NZer. However I very strongly doubt he will be an AB, but who do you believe he should be allowed to play for? Levi Aumua is ALSO a born and bred Kiwi.

Aumua was eligible to represent Samoa and Fiji for the Pacific Nations Cup in July that year but ended up playing for neither. He IS eligible for his nation of Birth too Nick

He is a Kiwi. Are you saying an NZ born, raised Kiwi cant play for NZ now?

Sorry Nick Kiwi born and bred actually qualify for NZ.

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