World champions England will be favourites to repeat last year’s grand slam but France and Ireland will eye an upset
Coach John Mitchell Captain Meg Jones Last year’s finish Grand slam champions
England are on a high after winning the World Cup and will take to the pitch against Ireland on Saturday for the first time since they were crowned world champions in September. There have been some changes to the squad, including the retirements of Abby Dow and Emily Scarratt as well as Tatyana Heard’s foot injury and the pregnancies of Zoe Stratford (formerly Aldcroft, the captain), Abbie Ward and Lark Atkin-Davies. Scarratt is now England’s attack and backs coach and seven of the 38-player squad are uncapped. Though they are depleted, England are firm favourites and while many may think the Red Roses do not have anything else to conquer, their new captain, Meg Jones, has outlined their target for this tournament. “We could be the first men or women’s team to win a Six Nations after a World Cup win so that is definitely a challenge we are very aware of,” she said.
Key player Jones is among the most influential in the squad, but Alex Matthews, the Gloucester-Hartpury back-rower, is now a vice-captain and has been a part of two World Cup winning campaigns.
