3 min: Claudia MacDonald is soon haring down the England left after a nice ball from Aitchison inside and Packer also providing a link in midfield. MacDonald is forced into touch thanks to some solid ‘D’ on the fringes from Scotland. 1 min: It’s a cool and breezy day in Leicester and there’s a bit of rain in the air. A knock-on from Scotland early doors and England have a scrum in the visitors’ half. Holly Aitchison, wearing No 10 for England, kicks off. The teams are out on the pitch in Leicester. Now for the anthems. A welcome blast of “Flower of Scotland” … and now Mitchell, in the stands, joins in with a rendition of “God Save the King”. Oliver Packer, Marlie’s son, is one of the mascots. “I’ve heard parts of the written media say this is an experimental side,” says the man himself, Mitchell, on the BBC of his selection. “I think that’s somewhat disrespectful to this group. It’s a very athletic selection. Marlie Packer is one of the more experienced players … she’ll certainly ‘put her head in the spokes’ and take the team forward.” “It’s always interesting,” the former England Women head coach Simon Middleton says on the BBC, of Mitchell’s rotation policy. “I’d have done it differently. John certainly does it his way. He doesn’t seem to have any issues whatsoever, rolling the squad for whatever game it is. That’s because he’s got great confidence in his players.” The former England captain Marlie Packer remains an “invaluable” asset as she prepares for only her second appearance of this year’s Women’s Six Nations. The veteran Saracens flanker was stripped of the captaincy ahead of the championship and left out of John Mitchell’s squad for wins over Wales and Ireland in rounds two and three. Having started the tournament opener against Italy, the 2023 world player of the year has been recalled among nine changes for the clash with Scotland at Welford Road. Red Roses head coach Mitchell has been trialling different combinations before this year’s home World Cup, with Zoe Aldcroft, who replaced Packer as skipper in January, the only player selected to start all four fixtures. England lock Abbie Ward believes long-term international teammate Packer, 35, continues to make a big impact on and off the pitch. “I don’t think there was ever really like a demotion; Marlie’s a fantastic leader and always will be, whether she’s wearing that armband or not,” said Bristol player Ward. “Even if she’s not on pitch, she brings her experience. Often you speak about the energy that she has and that ferocity but she also has this other side where she brings a calmness to the squad because she’s been there, she’s done that, she’s been in tough games, she’s been on the sides of huge wins and also losses, and I think that’s just invaluable to us. “But then when she’s got the shirt and she’s playing, she brings that animal, that’s when she brings that ferocity, that’s when she brings the energy, the aggression that we need and we feed off as a team. Whether she’s playing or not playing, she’s doing what she’s always done, which is trying to elevate the entire squad.” (PA Media) France have gone top of the table with four wins out of four, after beating Italy earlier, but England will retake top spot with a win here. The Red Roses’ points difference is +132 while France’s is +78. Two years ago the criticism levelled at England was that their attack was predictable as they relied on their maul to get them over the line. When John Mitchell took over the Red Roses before the 2024 Six Nations, the head coach and his staff, particularly the attack coach, Lou Meadows, diversified that area of their game. Continuity or experimentation? England have certainly opted for the latter. John Mitchell makes nine changes with Jade Shekells given her first start, at inside-centre, while Marlie Packer lines up at openside flanker. Maddie Feaunati is back in at No 8 with the captain Zoe Aldcroft again at No 6, the only player to start all four matches in the tournament. Rosie Galligan, Sarah Bern and Kelsey Clifford also return to England’s starting XV. The Scotland captain, Rachel Malcolm, misses out with concussion and the head coach Bryan Easson has made two changes: Jade Konkel comes in at No 8 and Caity Mattinson assumes scrum-half duties in the absence of Leia Brebner-Holden, who is also concussed. Evie Gallagher switches to the blindside with Malcolm sidelined. England: Kildunne; Dow, Jones, Shekells, MacDonald; Aitchison, L Packer; Clifford, Atkin-Davies, Bern, Galligan, Ward, Aldcroft (capt), M Packer, Feaunati. Replacements: Campbell, Botterman, Muir, Talling, Matthews, Hunt, Rowland, Scarratt. Scotland: Rollie; Lloyd, Orr, Thomson, McGhie; Nelson (capt), Mattison; Young, Skeldon, Clarke, Bonar, Boyd, Gallagher, McLachlan, Konkel. Replacements: Martin, Bartlett, Poolman, Ferrie, Bell, Clarke, Phillips Scott. France produced a second-half fightback to beat Italy 34-21 and maintain their 100% record in the Women’s Six Nations, setting up a potential Grand Slam decider against England. Joanna Grisez’s early try had given France a flying start in Parma, but after French lock Madoussou Fall was sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle, Italy recovered to lead 21-12 at half-time following tries from Vittoria Vecchini, Aura Muzzo and Silvia Turani. Morgane Bourgeois also touched down for the visitors. France rallied in the second half, going on to secure a bonus point with tries from Romane Ménager and Marine Ménager before the replacement Alexandra Chambon went over in the last minute - with Les Bleues now set for a potential winner-takes-all showdown away to England on April 26. (PA Media) England are three bonus-point wins out of three in this tournament and a potential Grand Slam-decider looms against France next Saturday if today’s match against Scotland in Leicester goes to form. Scotland have not beaten the Red Roses since 1999 and have never defeated them in the Six Nations – they are also depleted by injury and were beaten by Italy last time out. That explains why Scotland are, as kick-off approaches, available at 200-1 to win on one betting website. For John Mitchell, the England head coach, this tournament is about striking a balance. He wants to try new lineups and partnerships before the Women’s Rugby World Cup this summer but establishing a settled side, and giving them a chance to fine-tune and groove those partnerships, should also be a top priority. As of course is winning more silverware. England will expect to win, and win well, but they’ve been tested at times in this year’s tournament. Accuracy, fluency and execution will be their aim. Kick-off: 4.45pm BST.
Author: Luke McLaughlin