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England and Scotland name teams for Saturday's opening round Six Nations match

01 Apr 2021

(Photo by Umbro)

Defending champions England and rivals Scotland have names their respective XVs for Saturday’s 2021 Six Nations opener at Doncaster, a match that will be broadcast live on the BBC iPlayer. Emily Scarratt captains the side with the game coming too soon for Sarah Hunter, who continues to manage her full return to play. Prop Bryony Cleall is set to earn her second cap, taking her place in the front row alongside Vickii Cornborough and Lark Davies while Cath O’Donnell starts at lock.

Zoe Aldcroft, Lydia Thompson and Sarah McKenna all return after missing the autumn internationals. Leanne Riley starts at scrum-half alongside out-half Helena Rowland. Wing Abby Dow misses the match due to personal reasons.

England Six Nations coach Simon Middleton said: “We are pleased to be able to welcome a number of players back from injury. It is great to have Bryony back in the frame. It is over two years since her debut and she has been really unfortunate with injuries. However, she has continued to work hard on her rehab and return to play programme and deserves her opportunity.

Ex-Wales and Lions scrum-half Mike Phillips guests in the latest RugbyPass Offload with Ryan Wilson

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Ex-Wales and Lions scrum-half Mike Phillips guests in the latest RugbyPass Offload with Ryan Wilson

“Similarly, Cath O’Donnell has been out for a long time. Cath brings a physicality and a go-forward quality you need in international rugby and it is great to see her back on the field. We have had a high-quality week preparing in Doncaster and we are as ready as we can possibly be at this point to play.”

Scotland’s back division to face England remains unchanged from their last Six Nations match against France in October, with Hannah Smith partnering Lisa Thomson in the centres, stand-off Helen Nelson and scrum-half Mairi McDonald returning and full-back Chloe Rollie lining up with wingers Rachel Shankland and Megan Gaffney in the back three.

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— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 28, 2021

In the front row, hooker Lana Skeldon will pack down alongside Leah Bartlett and Christine Belisle, while Emma Wassell will link up with Louise McMillan in the second row. Captain Rachel Malcolm joins Rachel McLachlan and Siobhan Cattigan in the back row.

Coach Bryan Easson said: “It’s been tough to select the team this week which has been a real positive as it shows there is good strength in depth within this squad. The team that will take to the field on Saturday has an exciting blend of youth and experience.

“We have several players that have been involved in a number of Six Nations championships now, but we also have a lot of young and upcoming talent that are pushing for places in the team.”

ENGLAND
15. Sarah McKenna (Saracens Women, 32 caps)
14. Lydia Thompson (Worcester Warriors, 46 caps)
13. Emily Scarratt (Capt, Loughborough Lightning, 92 caps)
12. Lagi Tuima (Harlequins Women, 6 caps)
11. Jess Breach (Harlequins Women, 15 caps)
10. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 3 caps)
9. Leanne Riley (Harlequins Women, 40 caps)
1. Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins Women 56 caps)
2. Lark Davies (Loughborough Lightning, 28 caps)
3. Bryony Cleall (Saracens Women, 1 cap)
4. Abbie Ward (Harlequins Women 45 caps)
5. Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 16 caps)
6. Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester Hartpury Women, 20 caps)
7. Marlie Packer (Saracens Women, 74 caps)
8. Poppy Cleall (Saracens Women, 43 caps)
Finishers
16. Amy Cokayne (Harlequins Women, 53 caps)
17. Detysha Harper (Loughborough Lightning, 3 caps)
18. Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins Women, 20 caps)
19. Harriet Millar-Mills (Wasps FC Ladies, 58 caps)
20. Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens Women, 76 caps)
21. Claudia MacDonald (Wasps FC Ladies, 12 caps)
22. Megan Jones (Wasps FC Ladies, 10 caps)
23. Ellie Kildunne (Wasps FC Ladies, 11 caps)

SCOTLAND
15. Chloe Rollie (Harlequins)
14. Rachel Shankland (Stirling County)
13. Hannah Smith (Watsonians)
12. Lisa Thomson (Unattached)
11. Megan Gaffney (Heriots)
10. Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning)
9. Mairi McDonald (Hillhead Jordanhill)
1. Leah Bartlett (Loughborough Lightning)
2. Lana Skeldon (Unattached)
3. Christine Belisle (Cartha Queens Park)
4. Emma Wassell (Corstorphine Cougars)
5. Louise McMillan (Hillhead Jordanhill)
6. Rachel Malcolm (Capt, Loughborough Lightning)
7. Rachel McLachlan (Unattached)
8. Siobhan Cattigan (Stirling County)
Substitutes
16. Molly Wright (Watsonians)
17. Panashe Muzambe (Edinburgh University/Watsonians)
18. Lisa Cockburn (Darlington Mowden Park)
19. Evie Gallagher (Stirling County)
20. Jodie Rettie (Saracens)
21. Jenny Maxwell (Loughborough Lightning)
22. Sarah Law (Unattached)
23. Liz Musgrove (Unattached)

It's a breakdown of 4 English, 4 French, 3 Irish, 2 Welsh and 1 each from Scotland and Italy as RugbyPass women's rugby columnist @_JessHayden ??? picks her @Womens6Nations Fantasy XV
https://t.co/X65tGCDj9D
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 30, 2021

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Comments on RugbyPass

jorgenseneddie37 1 hour ago

Antoine Dupont's France run riot against Italy in Rome

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RedWarriors 1 hour ago

The Springbok selection experiment is far from over

Why the constant personal abuse against people who have a different opinion to Saffer supporters. Its a sport. He is entitled to an opinion. Abuse isn’t a retort.

56 Go to comments

RedWarriors 1 hour ago

The Springbok selection experiment is far from over

Last 5 matches versus SA = Ireland 4: SA 1

You can’t dominate world rugby in the meritocracy of test match record. You need luck, dodgy draws and red cards to pox RWCs.

Even with this ‘greatest team of all time” you have slumped from 5 ranking points ahead of Ireland at the end of RWC 2023 to just one now.

As World Rugby finally address the draw we should start seeing a more meriticratic event. Sorry but thats bad news for SA.

56 Go to comments

RedWarriors 2 hours ago

The Springbok selection experiment is far from over

SA and NZ were the main countries “Whining” about the draw that put SA/NZ/IRE/FRA all on the same side of the draw. Ireland, France and Scotland are well used to it. Most countries have come face to face with the biased draw and scheduling many times since the RWC was inaugurated in 1987.

Everyone agreed the draw was a farce , but yes someone had to pox their way through and that was SA. You get to play a France team in the QF before they have a knock out win under their belt. You won as the inferior team, the world saw that. If the draw had been harder for SA and you were scheduled to play Scotland the week before then you were out.

England were stronger for most of the match with a 9 point lead with 10 to go. They will be massively disapointed to lose from there especially with the non peanalty awarded at the end.

Lastly, you needed a red card to beat NZ. 100%. Not in doubt. It was a 1 point game. You were losing without the red.

SA beat what was in front of them. Not in doubt. That they were lucky is not in doubt either. That the draw made the win significantly easier for SA to get past the QF, is not in doubt either. You play France in the SF or final, you are losing badly.

So well done on teh wins. But less stop with the ‘Are SA the greatest team in history” rubbish.

‘Butt hurt’? Thats an Americanism to imply homosexuality? On about raping women now lobbing homophobic comments. Some of you Saffers, past and present have a very very disturbing attitude…historically and present day.

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NB 4 hours ago

Have England suddenly become a 'lucky' team?

I think you need to look at some examples in order to get your facts straight.

If you look at the second gif in the article https://imgur.com/a/6QNcVtB#NG27wFf , you can see that Scotland are running the shape I describe, and the ‘flat option’ does not actively impede a tackler so has no need to retreat.

Ditto this one https://imgur.com/a/hNktXel#gbQSsT4 . There is no significant contact with a defender by the flat option, so why does it need to be [over-]refereed?

I feel you’re trying to address an issue that exists mostly in your own imagination, not one that exists out on the field of play.

83 Go to comments

DL 4 hours ago

Six Nations isn't over for Garry Ringrose despite his red card ban

Only if he’s on the designated list, but the designated list isn’t made for the entire tournament, it changes every week depending on the players performance, coach strategy, injuries, etc.

Take Penaud’s case as example

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Six Nations isn't over for Garry Ringrose despite his red card ban

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England explain why Marcus Smith is set for extended full-back role

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Arjayem 5 hours ago

Have England suddenly become a 'lucky' team?

I think you’re confusing flat runners and ocean liners, of course once the get in front of the ball they can stop and retreat.

“Once the run [if it turns out to be a dummy] is expended, they will probably move sideways in support as the ball has gone wider.” makes no sense, either the ball is now in front of them and there is no need to retreat, or they should be retreating to as you put it support the player with the ball.

Your logic is completely at odds with the new rules on not blocking access to the kick receiver, and having to retreat behind the kicker.

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RedWarriors 5 hours ago

The Springbok selection experiment is far from over

Yes England were far stronger than Boks in 2019. Their dominant win over NZ was the outstanding performance of the 2019 campaign. That’s the truth even if my saying it enrages you so much you resort to insulting my mother and now…checks notes….my girlfriend?

Same in 2023, not the next team in your pool and by virtue of the draw, fortune and red cards you poxed it again.

A win is a win. But can we stop this utter utter nonsense of trying to compare this team with the all conquering NZ team? Its just arrogance.

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Does a crowd have the right to boo their team if they're not being entertained?

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NB 6 hours ago

Have England suddenly become a 'lucky' team?

This is unworkable Arjay. Flat runners have to be moving at full tilt to be real options for the pass, and they cannot just turn around and run towards their own goal-line once the ball moves beyond them!

Think about it more carefully. Once the run [if it turns out to be a dummy] is expended, they will probably move sideways in support as the ball has gone wider. If they continue straight ahead and block defenders, refs are already primed to pick it up and sanction it.

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