Key events
Sarah Rendell – our eyes and ears on the ground today – has written a couple of banging pieces focussing on Scotland.
The first is a report from inside the Scottish camp as a contract dispute continues to bubble in the background:
The next is a preview looking ahead to this ‘landmark’ game:
England team
A trio of injured players – scrum-half Natasha Hunt, lock Morwenna Talling and back-rower Alex Matthews – who copped blows against Ireland, are unavailable.
Lucky for John Mitchell, his team is stacked with immense depth in every position.
Lucy Packer starts at 9 with a shuffle in the back row. Demelza Short makes her Red Roses debut in the 6 jersey with the aggressive Maddi Feaunati slotting in at the back of the pack.
Ellie Kildunne – who wasn’t quite at the races last week – shifts to wing as the impressive Emma Sing gets a shot at fullback.
Helena Rowland will play the creator at second receiver as the metronome that is Zoe Harrison will run things at 10.
England: Emma Sing; Jess Breach, Megan Jones (c), Helena Rowland, Ellie Kildunne; Zoe Harrison, Lucy Packer; Kelsey Clifford, Amy Cokayne, Maud Muir, Abi Burton, Lilli Ives Campion, Demelza Short, Sadia Kabeya, Maddie Feaunati.
Replacements: Connie Powell, Mackenzie Carson, Sarah Bern, Haineala Lutui, Marlie Packer, Flo Robinson, Holly Aitchison, Mia Venner.
Scotland team
Just one change to the team that did the business against Wales.
Evi Willis moves into midfield, replacing Emma Orr at outside centre.
The pack remains the same while Francesca McGhie and Rachel McLachlan occupy the bench having missed out on the match-day 23 last week.
Scotland: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Evie Willis, Meryl Smith, Shona Campbell; Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden; Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon, Elliann Clarke, Emma Wassell, Hollie Cunningham, Rachel Maclolm (c), Alex Stewart. Emily Coubrough.
Replacements: Elis Martin, Demi Swann, Molly Poolman, Holland Bogan, Rachel McLachlan, Rianna Darroch, Lucia Scott, Francesca McGhie.
Preamble
Hi everyone! Welcome to the second round of the 2026 Women’s Six Nations.
England have travelled north of the border in search of a 25th consecutive win over Scotland in the competition. And you wouldn’t bet against them, would you?
Scotland, though, will believe in miracles after they snatched a dramatic victory over Wales last week. Sure, this is a whole different kettle of fish. But momentum can play out in interesting ways in sport and, well, you never know. Right?
Oval Insights – a supercomputer of sorts, for those in the back – has predicted an English win by 35 points and give the visitors a 95% chance of leaving with all the marbles.
I guess it’s a question of how many today. But still plenty to play for as the improving Scots could show what they’re about with a performance to be proud of.
We’ll find out how they get on when things kick off at 1:30pm
Teams and other updates to come.
