Three Chiefs named in Red Roses Squad for Six Nations
Head coach Simon Middleton has named a 42-player England Women training squad for the 2023 TikTok Women’s Six Nations.
Chiefs Captain, Poppy Leitch, returns to the England setup for the first time since 2019, whilst Nancy McGillivray earns her first call-up for the Red Roses squad having featured previously for the U20s. The high-flying Claudia MacDonald retains her place in the squad after some stellar performances following her move to the South-West from Wasps.
It is just rewards with the Chiefs Women sitting pretty at the top of the Allianz Premier 15s table.
The squad is made up of 23 forwards and 19 backs.
There are returns for Gloucester-Hartpury scrum half Natasha Hunt and club team-mate Sarah Beckett as well as Bristol Bears captain Amber Reed and Harlequins front row Bryony Cleall.
Nine uncapped players, including Saracens duo May Campbell and Kelsey Clifford are selected, alongside Sale Sharks’ Elizabeth Duffy who featured for England U20s.
High-flying Gloucester-Hartpury’s uncapped Ellie Rugman also returns having been involved in previous training camps.
Lock Abbie Ward (pregnancy) and regular vice-captain Emily Scarratt (injury) will be with the group for set days throughout the tournament to support with the coaching delivery.
Sarah Hunter and Marlie Packer will co-captain the squad for the tournament.
The group will meet at St. George’s Park on Monday (6 March) for the first of two preparation camps at the East Midlands venue.
England open their TikTok Six Nations campaign against Scotland in Newcastle (Saturday 25 March, KO 4.45pm at Kingston Park), before hosting Italy (Sunday 2 April, KO 3pm at Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton).
They then travel to Cardiff to take on Wales at Cardiff Arms Park (Saturday 15 April, KO 2.15pm) before visiting Ireland (Saturday 22 April, KO 2.15pm, Musgrave Park, Cork).
All teams are again in action on ‘Super Saturday’ where England's final game of the tournament sees them host France in the team’s first standalone fixture at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday 29 April, KO 1pm.
Tickets for the three home matches can be purchased here and all matches will be broadcast on the BBC.
Head coach Middleton said: “We’re really looking forward to the TikTok Six Nations tournament.
“There are a number of new faces in this squad and while we are missing experienced players, this is a great opportunity for these younger players and we’re looking forward to working with them.
“There is always a regeneration period after any World Cup and this one is no different.
“Those selected have performed very well in the Allianz Premier 15s and deserve their opportunity.
“Sarah Hunter and Marlie Packer will co-captain the squad. Sarah has made it clear she will not be involved in the 2025 World Cup as a player, so it’s essential we look to continue to grow our leadership quality and depth. Marlie is already an integral part of our leadership group, so this is a natural progression for her to co-captain the side and continue to develop her leadership skills.
“Both Abbie Ward and Emily Scarratt expressed a wish to support our Six Nations campaign despite their playing absence. Both are an integral part of our strategy and leadership group and in my opinion, have great coaching potential in terms of their knowledge and their delivery. Coaching is an area of the women’s game we all recognise as one of the next big pillars to put in place, so it stands to reason that we jump on this opportunity to support both in an area they have expressed a wish to develop.
“The Six Nations is one of the most iconic tournaments in world rugby that we love participating in. We also recognise that it’s an important start point in terms of preparation for the 2025 World Cup.
“Spectators will see competitive games across the board and we can’t wait to get started.”
England 2023 TikTok Women’s Six Nations squad
Forwards
Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 38 caps)
Sarah Beckett (Gloucester-Hartpury, 25 caps)
Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 52 caps)
May Campbell (Saracens, uncapped)
Bryony Cleall (Harlequins, 7 caps)
Poppy Cleall (Saracens, 63 caps)
Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, uncapped)
Amy Cokayne (Harlequins, 70 caps)
Liz Crake (Wasps, uncapped)
Lark Davies (Bristol Bears, 44 caps)
Rosie Galligan (Harlequins, 9 caps)
Detysha Harper (Loughborough Lightning, 5 caps)
Sarah Hunter (CC; Loughborough Lightning, 140 caps)
Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 8 caps)
Poppy Leitch (Exeter Chiefs, 7 caps)
Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 56 caps)
Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 17 caps)
Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 24 caps)
Marlie Packer (CC; Saracens, 89 caps)
Connie Powell (Gloucester-Hartpury, 7 caps)
Emily Robinson (Harlequins, uncapped)
Hannah Sims (Harlequins, uncapped)
Morwenna Talling (Loughborough Lightning, 5 caps)
Backs
Holly Aitchison (Saracens, 15 caps)
Jess Breach (Saracens, 24 caps)
Abby Dow (Harlequins, 30 caps)
Elizabeth Duffy (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 9 caps)
Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 60 caps)
Leanne Infante (Saracens, 57 caps)
Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 31 caps)
Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 24 caps)
Nancy McGillivray (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Sarah McKenna (Saracens, 43 caps)
Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 9 caps)
Amber Reed (Bristol Bears, 62 caps)
Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 22 caps)
Ellie Rugman (Gloucester-Hartpury, uncapped)
Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 2 caps)
Lydia Thompson (Worcester Warriors, 58 caps)
Lagi Tuima (Harlequins, 12 caps)
Ella Wyrwas (Saracens, uncapped)
Players unavailable for selection:Hannah Botterman (knee), Vickii Cornborough (personal reasons), Vicky Fleetwood (ankle), Laura Keates (anterior cruciate ligament), Zoe Harrison (anterior cruciate ligament), Emily Scarratt (neck and ankle), Abbie Ward (pregnancy).