John Mitchell names 4 uncapped players in England's Six Nations squad

Four uncapped players have been retained in England's final squad for the Guinness Women's Six Nations, which gets underway for the defending champions against Italy in York on Sunday.

Trailfinders Women flanker Abi Burton, Leicester Tigers lock Charlotte Fray, Exeter Chiefs scrum-half Flo Robinson and Gloucester-Hartpury centre Jade Shekells have all been included in the 37-player squad and will hope to earn a first Test cap during the championship.

Shekells is one of 11 representatives from Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) winners Gloucester-Hartpury, who claimed their third successive title with a 34-19 defeat of Saracens in Sunday's final at StoneX Stadium.

The Olympian made only three PWR appearances this season, spending most of the campaign with Great Britain Sevens and appearing in HSBC SVNS tournaments in Dubai, Cape Town, Perth and Vancouver.

But Shekells impressed John Mitchell and his England coaches during the pre-Six Nations training camps in Bristol – remaining with the Red Roses during PWR final week – and will continue to press her claims for international recognition in 15s.

Mitchell also confirmed on Monday that Megan Jones and Marlie Packer will act as vice-captains during the championship. Zoe Aldcroft will captain the reigning champions, who have won the last six editions of the tournament without losing a match.

England begin their latest title defence and the road towards their home Rugby World Cup against the Azzurre at York's Community Stadium, a tournament venue, this Sunday.

“We have selected a really exciting mix of players and a squad with great depth,” Mitchell said.

“Depth provides healthy competition as we look to evolve our combinations. It will be really good to get everyone together; this is an important week to refocus and get everyone on the same page as quickly as we can.”

Red Roses Guinness Women’s Six Nations Squad

Forwards

Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 58 caps) - captain

Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 62 caps)

Sarah Beckett (Gloucester-Hartpury, 35 caps)

Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 66 caps)

Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 51 caps)

Georgia Brock (Gloucester-Hartpury, 2 caps)

Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women, uncapped)

May Campbell (Saracens, 1 cap)

Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 21 caps)

Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 9 caps)

Amy Cokayne (Leicester Tigers, 79 caps)

Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 10 caps)

Charlotte Fray (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)

Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 19 caps)

Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning, 1 cap)

Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 18 caps)

Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 72 caps)

Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 35 caps)

Marlie Packer (Saracens, 108 caps)

Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 18 caps)

Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 69 caps)

Backs

Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 35 caps)

Jess Breach (Saracens, 43 caps)

Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women, 48 caps)

Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 54 caps)

Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 26 caps)

Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 76 caps)

Megan Jones (Leicester Tigers, 21 caps)

Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 48 caps)

Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 32 caps)

Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 26 caps)

Flo Robinson (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)

Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 34 caps)

Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 116 caps)

Jade Shekells (Gloucester-Hartpury, uncapped)

Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 6 caps)

Mia Venner (Gloucester-Hartpury, 1 cap)