England head coach John Mitchell has announced seven changes to the team that secured a victory over Scotland at Murrayfield, ahead of their upcoming Women’s Six Nations match against Wales at a sold-out Ashton Gate this Saturday at 2:15pm.
Gloucester-Hartpury’s loosehead prop Mackenzie Carson will earn her first start of this year’s competition, stepping into the starting lineup, while Maud Muir, who celebrated her 50th cap during the decisive 84-7 win against Scotland, will be named on the bench.
Notably absent from England’s 23 are Gloucester-Hartpury players Emma Sing and Mia Venner, both try-scorers in the Scotland match. Back-row player Alex Matthews remains sidelined due to injury.
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On the Welsh side, former Circus head coach Sean Lynn has selected a squad featuring Gloucester-Hartpury’s Bethan Lewis as captain. Club-mate Kate Williams is out with a calf strain.
Wales has made two changes from their previous match against France, with Gloucester-Hartpury back-row Branwen Metcalfe earning her first Six Nations start. The front five remains consistent for their third consecutive Test, including Circus trio Sisilia Tuipulotu, Kelsey Jones, and Jorja Aiono anchoring the pack.
In the backline, Lleucu George will start at fly-half, supported by Hannah Dallavalle in the centre. The replacements bench includes scrum-half Seren Lockwood.
Wales’s squad still heavily features Gloucester-Hartpury talent; nine players appeared in the 23 for their 38-7 defeat to France. Dallavalle, George, Lockwood, Jones, Tuipulotu, Aiono, Lewis, and Williams all started that game, with Metcalfe coming off the bench.
In other international news, Ireland’s prop Ellena Perry scored her first Six Nations try in their 57-20 triumph over Italy. She was accompanied by Gloucester-Hartpury teammates Neve Jones, Niamh O’Dowd, and Sam Monaghan, who made appearances as substitutes.
Turning to domestic club action, in Women’s NC1 South West (East), Hucclecote edged Melksham 29-22. Paige Allen led the way with a hat-trick, supported by tries from Jasmine Norman and Abi Potter, while Beth Bird contributed two conversions.
Drybrook faced a heavy defeat, falling 50-17 to North Bristol II. Tries were recorded by Courtney Douglas, Katie Carter, and Tehana Havers, with Maizie Morgan adding a conversion.
In Women’s NC3 South West (North), Tewkesbury clinched a narrow 24-20 win over league leaders Fairford. Despite an early 10-0 lead for Fairford through tries by Charlie Rymer and Neave Caul, Tewkesbury fought back with Jas Girvan’s try, Bec Buckley’s conversions, and a brilliantly executed chip and chase by Beth Green that extended their advantage. Fairford responded with tries from Katie Harte and Alicia La Costa Hill, but Tewkesbury held on for the victory.