Aiming for a third consecutive Grand Slam and their sixth consecutive Six Nations title. Setting new goals can pose challenges.

In their opening Women’s Six Nations game against Italy, England secured an impressive 48-0 victory. However, the match was far from perfect, with the Red Roses facing adversity as they played most of the game with only 14 players due to Sarah Beckett’s red card. Nevertheless, they showed resilience by bouncing back to score six second-half tries.

As England gears up for their upcoming match against Wales at Ashton Gate, anticipation is high for John Mitchell’s first home game in charge. With over 18,000 spectators expected to attend, it will be the largest home crowd for a fixture not held at Twickenham for the Red Roses.

“We’ve been preparing for this game for quite some time, and we still have plenty of energy and determination left,” remarked Mitchell. “The players are pushing each other, fostering healthy competition within the team.”

As the Bristol match approaches, competition for spots in the team intensifies, prompting Mitchell to implement seven changes to the squad. The 60-year-old coach, who hinted at ongoing rotation, remains committed to providing players with opportunities ahead of the 2025 home World Cup, shaping his selection decisions accordingly.

Notably, seasoned 109-cap center Emily Scarratt has been omitted from the matchday squad. Despite returning from a 13-month neck injury, Scarratt showed signs of rustiness in the unfamiliar inside center role. Mitchell stressed the importance of reintegrating players like Scarratt, Abbie Ward, Zoe Harrison, and Sadia Kabeya, expressing confidence in their ability to improve with each outing.

The upcoming game presents an opportunity for the fresh center pairing of Megan Jones and Tatyana Heard, along with the new half-back combination of Natasha Hunt and Holly Aitchison, to showcase their abilities. Additionally, prop Maud Muir, second row Rosie Galligan, and number eight Alex Matthews have been included, emphasizing internal competition as a priority with an eye on the World Cup.

Despite recent struggles, Wales is determined to pose a challenge to England. While they showed defensive resilience against Scotland, limiting them to two tries, the late withdrawal of star winger Jasmine Joyce will be a setback. Former Wales international Philippa Tuttiett emphasized the need for defensive improvements and urged the team to aim for a try against England, with aspirations to finish in the top three of the Six Nations for World Cup qualification.

With both teams eyeing victory in front of a record-breaking crowd, anticipation is high for an intense and competitive encounter, showcasing notable names and a blend of experienced players and rising talent.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/68693631

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