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England make three changes, including a debut for Delaney Burns
By
Liam Heagney
England have named a team to face Italy this Sunday in the TikTok women’s Six Nations which shows three changes from last weekend’s round one win over Scotland. The beaten Rugby World Cup finalists were 58-7 winners in that opener in Newcastle, but their rejigged side now includes a debut for Delaney Burns.
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Tatyana Heard for the injured Amber Reed is the sole change in the backs and in the forwards, Burns is set to earn her first cap at lock with Cath O’Donnell lining up alongside her.
The retirement of the legendary Sarah Hunter resulted in Zoe Aldcroft, who started at lock last weekend, switching to No8 to allow for the inclusion of O’Donnell at No4 while Burns has made the cut at No5 following the injury sustained by Poppy Cleall.
Another uncapped player, Emily Robinson, has made the England bench on this occasion but Detysha Harper sustained an achilles tendon injury in training on Wednesday and will miss the rest of the tournament. Simi Pam has joined the squad and will travel to Northampton as a non-playing reserve for a match that has 12,000 tickets already sold.
England head coach Simon Middleton said: “We are really looking forward to Sunday’s game against Italy in Northampton. 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. Delaney Burns has impressed us immensely. Her lineout and set-piece understanding is strong and she deserves her start.
“Emily Robinson has been a prominent part of our programme for a good period. Injury meant she has had to bide her time, but she has been excellent since she has come in during the Six Nations and we look forward to seeing how she fares.
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“We are naturally gutted to lose Poppy Cleall and Amber Reed to injury but are confident they will return before the end of this tournament. Everyone is devastated for Detysha Harper following her injury. She is a top player, has an infectious personality and is a big loss for us. We all wish her a speedy recovery.”
England (vs Italy, Sunday – 3.0pm)
15. Abby Dow (Harlequins, 31 caps)
14. Jess Breach (Saracens, 25 caps)
13. Lagi Tuima (Harlequins, 13 caps)
12. Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 10 caps)
11. Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 25 caps)
10. Holly Aitchison (Saracens, 16 caps)
9. Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 10 caps)
1. Mackenzie Carson (Saracens, 1 cap)
2. Amy Cokayne (Harlequins, 71 caps)
3. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 53 caps)
4. Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 25 caps)
5. Delaney Burns (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
6. Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 9 caps)
7. Marlie Packer (C; Saracens, 90 caps)
8. Zoe Aldcroft (VC; Gloucester-Hartpury, 39 caps)
Replacements:
16. Lark Davies (Bristol Bears, 45 caps)
17. Liz Crake (Wasps, 1 cap)
18. Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 1 cap)
19. Sarah Beckett (Gloucester-Hartpury, 26 caps)
20. Emily Robinson (Harlequins, uncapped)
21. Ella Wyrwas (Saracens, 1 cap)
22. Sarah McKenna (Saracens, 43 caps)
23. Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 3 caps)
