Rowland Starts As Much-changed England Face Ireland

England inferior backmost Helena Rowland will commencement astatine wrong centre successful a much-changed squad for their Women's Six Nations opener against Ireland astatine Allianz Stadium connected Saturday.

Centre Tatyana Heard, 31, has been a regular nether caput coach John Mitchell and started nan Rugby World Cup final triumph complete Canada successful September, but was ruled retired of nan Six Nations pinch a ft injury.

Rowland, who has played for her state successful each backline position different than scrum-half, is 1 of 8 changes to nan starting squad that won England's first World Cup successful 11 years astatine a sold-out 82,000-capacity Allianz Stadium.

More than 70,000 tickets person been sold for nan crippled against Ireland, England's first since becoming world champions.

It is simply a caller half-back pairing pinch Lucy Packer and Holly Aitchison coming successful for Natasha Hunt and Zoe Harrison.

Loughborough Lightning fastener Lilli Ives Campion replaces Bristol Bears fastener Abbie Ward - 1 of 4 England women's players to announce they are pregnant.

Megan Jones will skipper nan broadside aft Zoe Stratford announced her gestation successful March.

Retired England helping Abby Dow, a champion nether Mitchell, is replaced by Exeter Chiefs Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, who was portion of England's World Cup squad.

Props Kelsey Clifford and Sarah Bern are named to commencement successful nan beforehand row, while explosive flanker Maddie Feaunati starts connected nan blind-side.

There is nary spot for Bristol Bears prop Hannah Botterman - 1 of nan Red Roses' apical performers astatine nan World Cup.

Loughborough's 19 year-old guardant Haineala Lutui could make her debut from nan chair successful nan 2nd row.

Mitchell's side, who are connected a 33-game winning run, are chasing an eighth consecutive Six Nations title and 5th consecutive Grand Slam.

More to follow.