Loughborough Lightning’s Helena Rowland retains her place in the Red Roses’ matchday squad for their Guinness Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam decider against France this weekend.
Rowland, who has appeared in all four games so far in this year’s tournament, is named among the replacements for Saturday’s winner-takes-all encounter at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
England are without World Player of the year Ellie Kildinne, who is ruled out with a hamstring injury, with Gloucester-Hartpury’s Emma Sing earning her third start at full-back.
Half-backs Natasha Hunt and Zoe Harrison link up for the third time this tournament and Tatyana Heard returns at inside centre. Wings Abby Dow and Claudia MacDonald retain their spots after scoring two tries each last time out against Scotland, and Megan Jones remains in the 13 jersey.
Hannah Botterman and Maud Muir start at loosehead prop and tighthead prop respectively while Maddie Feaunati switches to openside flanker to accommodate Alex Matthews at Number 8.
Hooker Lark Atkin-Davies, second rows Morwenna Talling and Abbie Ward continue in their respective positions, and Zoe Aldcroft captains the team from blindside flanker for the fifth match in a row.
Red Roses team to play France
15 Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 7 caps)
14 Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women, 51 caps)
13 Megan Jones (Leicester Tigers, 24 caps)
12 Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 28 caps)
11 Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 34 caps)
10 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 56 caps)
9 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 79 caps)
1 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 55 caps)
2 Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 65 caps)
3 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 39 caps)
4 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 21 caps)
5 Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 73 caps)
6 Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 62 caps) - captain
7 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 14 caps)
8 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 74 caps)
Replacements:
16 Amy Cokayne (Leicester Tigers, 82 caps)
17 Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 13 caps)
18 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 70 caps)
19 Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 23 caps)
20 Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women, 1 cap)
21 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 30 caps)
22 Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 39 caps)
23 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 38 caps)
