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Unbeaten England change three for their round three trip to Wales
By Liam Heagney
Unbeaten England have made three changes to their TikTok Women’s Six Nations team to travel to Wales this Saturday following their round two win over Italy. Simon Middleton’s side defeated the Italians 68-5 at Northampton on April 2 and they have now shaken things up with one injury-enforced change in the backline and two alterations to their starting pack.
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With Claudia MacDonald hurt, Abby Dow will fill the left wing vacancy with Emma Sing making her first Test start at full-back. In the pack, Lark Davies is named at hooker in place of Amy Cokayne, who is unavailable for selection as part of England’s agreement with the Royal Air Force.
Cokayne will be representing the Royal Air Force in their Inter-Service match against the British Army at Kingsholm on Saturday, a double-booking that has resulted in the uncapped May Campbell coming onto the England bench.
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Elsewhere, the repositioning of Zoe Aldcroft from No8 to second row sees Delaney Burns drop to the bench and enable Alex Matthews to make her first appearance of the tournament. On the bench, the trip to Wales heralds the return of Hannah Botterman, Maud Muir and Ellie Kildunne following injury lay-offs.
Middleton said: “Emma Sing makes her first start in an England shirt. She has performed extremely well for Gloucester-Hartpury this season and has impressed us in camps and her international appearances to date.
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“Although we have world-class hookers in our squad, it is essential we continue to look to strengthen the depth in that position. May Campbell has been a standout player in the Allianz Premier 15s over the last couple of seasons and has been tremendous in camp for us. She has patiently bided her time and deservedly gets her opportunity this weekend.
“We are pleased to welcome back key personnel including Alex Matthews, Hannah Botterman, Maud Muir and Ellie Kildunne to the matchday squad. Our sports science team deserves great credit for their tireless efforts over the past few months and have yet again returned players safely ahead of schedule.
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“Wales have had a strong start to the tournament and will present a tough challenge. Ioan (Cunningham) has assembled a strong group who are continually adapting to professionalism. The growth in the physical profile and synergy of the team has been really evident in the Six Nations so far and it promises to be a great contest.”
England (vs Wales, Saturday – KO2.15)
15. Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 4 caps)
14. Jess Breach (Saracens, 26 caps)
13. Lagi Tuima (Harlequins, 14 caps)
12. Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 11 caps)
11. Abby Dow (Harlequins, 32 caps)
10. Holly Aitchison (Saracens, 17 caps)
9. Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 11 caps)
1. Mackenzie Carson (Saracens, 2 caps)
2. Lark Davies (Bristol Bears, 46 caps)
3. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 54 caps)
4. Zoe Aldcroft (VC; Gloucester Hartpury, 40 caps)
5. Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 25 caps)
6. Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 10 caps)
7. Marlie Packer (C; Saracens, 91 caps)
8. Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 56 caps)
Replacements:
16. May Campbell (Saracens, uncapped)
17. Hannah Botterman (Saracens, 34 caps)
18. Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 17 caps)
19. Delaney Burns (Bristol Bears, 1 cap)
20. Sarah Beckett (Gloucester-Hartpury, 26 caps)
21. Ella Wyrwas (Saracens, 2 caps)
22. Sarah McKenna (Saracens, 44 caps)
23. Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 31 caps)
