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BAGSHOT, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: General view as the team train during a England Women's Training Session at Penny Hill Park on October 29, 2020 in Bagshot, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

Red Roses

30 Oct 2020 | 4 min |

Red Roses team to face Italy Women announced

Head coach Simon Middleton has named his England Women team for Sunday’s Six Nations trip to Italy.

Loughborough Lightning’s Morwenna Talling starts in the second row for her senior debut while Abbie Ward and Marlie Packer are set for their first appearances in just under a year. 

Ellie Kildunne makes her first international XVs appearance since the 33-11 win over Ireland in the 2018 Women’s Six Nations.

Natasha Hunt has withdrawn from the squad after returning a positive COVID-19 test. The Gloucester-Hartpury captain will isolate for 10 days before undertaking a seven-day return to play programme. There were no other positive tests returned.

Wasps FC Ladies’ Claudia MacDonald will now start at scrum half while Leanne Riley joins the group and takes her place on the bench.

The match takes place on Sunday 1 November at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, in Parma, KO 1700 GMT, live on Sky Sports Arena and also available free-to-air on the Sky Sports YouTube channel.

Middleton said: “While we’re understandably disappointed for Mo [Natasha Hunt], the health and safety of all players and staff members is paramount.

“The situation has been handled very well by our medical staff. All training session and training venue footage was reviewed to establish any close contacts and players were interviewed. Fortunately, no-one else needed to isolate.

“Claudia is a fantastic replacement and the game gives her a chance to impress from the start.

“Earning a first cap is always a special moment. Morwenna Talling has excelled in training and club matches and we feel thoroughly deserves her opportunity.

“Despite a number of injuries, we have real depth to our squad. We’re all pleased to see Harriet Millar-Mills back playing regularly after lengthy injury lay-offs and know the quality the likes of Alex Matthews and Helena Rowland bring.

“After a tough year for everyone, we’re grateful to be preparing for international rugby again and targeting a Grand Slam.”

Red Roses XV 

15. Ellie Kildunne (Wasps FC Ladies, 8 caps)
14. Jess Breach (Harlequins Women, 13 caps)
13. Emily Scarratt (C; Loughborough Lightning, 89 caps)
12. Amber Reed (Bristol Bears Women, 57 caps) 
11. Abby Dow (Wasps FC Ladies, 12 caps)
10. Katy Daley-Mclean (Sale Sharks Women, 114 caps) 
9. Claudia MacDonald (Wasps FC Ladies, 9 caps)
1. Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins Women, 53 caps)
2. Lark Davies (Loughborough Lightning, 25 caps)
3. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears Women, 35 caps)
4. Abbie Ward (Harlequins Women, 42 caps)
5. Morwenna Talling (Loughborough Lightning, 0 caps)
6. Poppy Cleall (Saracens Women, 40 caps)
7. Marlie Packer (Saracens Women, 71 caps)
8. Sarah Beckett (Harlequins Women, 17 caps)

Finishers

16. Amy Cokayne (Harlequins Women, 50 caps)
17. Detysha Harper (Loughborough Lightning, 1 cap)
18. Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins Women, 17 caps)
19. Harriet Millar-Mills (Wasps FC Ladies, 55 caps)
20. Alex Matthews (Worcester Warriors Women, 37 caps)
21. Leanne Riley (Harlequins Women, 37 caps)
22. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 0 caps)
23. Zoe Harrison (Saracens Women, 24 caps)

ENGLAND WOMEN 2020 SIX NATIONS

Sunday 1 November 2020: Italy v England - KO 1700 GMT, Stadio Sergio Lanranchi (Live on Sky Sports Arena and Sky Sports YouTube)

ENGLAND WOMEN 2020 AUTUMN INTERNATIONALS 

Saturday 14 November 2020: France v England - KO 1315 GMT
Saturday 21 November 2020: England v France - KO 1200 GMT, Twickenham Stadium

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