England Begins Women’s Six Nations CampaignWorld Cup Preparations Take Center Stage

The Red Roses, led by Zoe Aldcroft and John Mitchell, open against Italy with a revamped lineup aimed at testing combinations for the upcoming World Cup.

• England enters the 2025 Women’s Six Nations as the heavy favorite, aiming for an eighth consecutive title and fourth straight Grand Slam.
• Head coach John Mitchell has named an experimental squad for the opener against Italy, featuring new players and positional shifts to evaluate World Cup strategies.
• Helena Rowland returns to the fly-half position for the first time in three years, while Emma Sing and Mia Venner earn starting roles in the backline.
• Zoe Aldcroft, recently appointed captain, will lead the team from blindside flanker as England tests depth and versatility across positions.
• The tournament highlights the growing stature of women’s rugby, with sold-out matches and increased competitiveness from teams like Ireland and France.

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