First start for Shekells as Packer returns for Red Roses against Scotland

Jade Shekells will make her first start for England in Saturday’s Women’s Six Nations match against Scotland on Saturday.

The 28-year-old Gloucester-Hartpury centre, who made her Red Roses debut from the bench in round one against Italy, will start her first international match after head coach John Mitchell made nine changes.

Reigning champions England are bidding to maintain their 100 per cent winning record as they chase a seventh successive Women’s Six Nations title.

Former captain Marlie Packer, who was stripped of the captaincy ahead of the tournament, has been recalled after being left out of the matchday squad for wins over Wales and Ireland in rounds two and three.

Packer takes the number seven jersey from Sadia Kabeya and will win her 110th cap, with props Kelsey Clifford and Sarah Bern, flanker Rosie Galligan and No 8 Maddie Feaunati the other players restored to the pack.

Among the backs, scrum-half Lucy Packer, fly-half Holly Aitchison and wing Claudia MacDonald come in.

Ellie Kildunne, Abby Dow, Megan Jones, Lark Atkin-Davies, Abbie Ward and captain Zoe Aldcroft are the only players to retain their positions after last week’s 49-5 victory over Ireland.

Red Roses’ Women’s Six Nations 2025 fixtures

Sunday, March 23Red Roses 38-5 Italy
Saturday, March 29Wales 12-67 Red Roses
Saturday, April 12Ireland 5-49 Red Roses
Saturday, April 19Red Roses vs Scotland4.45pm
Saturday, April 26Red Roses vs France4.45pm

Red Roses team to play Scotland

England: 15 Ellie Kildunne, 14 Abby Dow, 13 Megan Jones, 12 Jade Shekells, 11 Claudia MacDonald, 10 Holly Aitchison, 9 Leanne Packer; 1 Kelsey Clifford, 2 Lark Atkin-Davies, 3 Sarah Bern, 4 Rosie Galligan, 5 Abbie Ward, 6 Zoe Aldcroft (capt), 7 Marlie Packer, 8 May Campbell.

Replacements: 16 May Campbell, 17 Hannah Botterman, 18 Maud Muir, 19 Morwenna Talling, 20 Alex Matthews, 21 Natasha Hunt, 22 Helena Rowland, 23 Emily Scarratt.

British & Irish Lions tour of Australia on Sky Sports

The Lions will tour Australia in 2025
Image:
Watch the Lions tour of Australia live on Sky Sports in 2025


Sky Sports will exclusively show the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, with all three Tests against the Wallabies and six warm-up matches to be shown exclusively live.

British and Irish Lions 2025 tour schedule

DateOpponentVenue
Friday, June 20ArgentinaDublin
Saturday, June 28Western ForcePerth
Wednesday, July 2Queensland RedsBrisbane
Saturday, July 5NSW WarratahsSydney
Wednesday, July 9ACT BrumbiesCanberra
Saturday, July 12Invitational AU-NZAdelaide
Saturday, July 19AUSTRALIA (first Test)Brisbane
Wednesday, July 22First Nations & Pasifika XVMelbourne
Saturday, July 26AUSTRALIA (second Test)Melbourne
Saturday, August 2AUSTRALIA (third Test)Sydney

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