‘Awesome’ squad competition driving England’s Six Nations bid

England vs. Scotland in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations

The Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium will host a game on Saturday, April 19; the kickoff time is 16:45 BST.

When it was suggested that England had not been put under enough pressure, Lock Abbie Ward laughed.

34 players were involved in the comfortable bonus-point win, and the team’s 23-game winning streak has now come to an end.

Before a home rugby world cup kicks off in August, there are indications that the Red Roses need a thorough test.

The game against Scotland in Leicester on Saturday looks like another routine five points to prepare for the likely Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam match against France at Allianz Stadium on April 26.

Lock Ward, 32, revealed pressure is present on the training field in abundance with the gap still growing between England and the other home nations.

The inclusion of nine newcomers for the game against Scotland gives some big names the perfect opportunity to enter a potential title showdown.

At age 10, Holly Aitchison, Mitchell’s preferred fly-half option, will want to show off the running prowess that initially gave her an advantage over in-form Zoe Harrison.

Lucy Packer, Aitchison’s half-back partner, continues to appear lively off the bench and is rewarded with a start as she looks to add to her four try assists, which are the tournament’s joint-highest, to prove dignified of a spot next to Natasha Hunt.

Marlie Packer, the former England captain, makes her first appearance since the opening-round defeat of Italy in front of an open-side flanker.

The 35-year-old has won the Six Nations trophy twice in the past two years, but Zoe Aldcroft took over as skipper in January.

Packer’s management was taken into account when Saracens won the Premiership Women’s Rugby final a week before the opening Six Nations game. However, Sadia Kabeya, the 2014 World Cup winner, has been under pressure due to back-to-back strong performances from Loughborough Lightning.

Even having World Cup winner Alex Matthews back up, the number eight position on Maddie Feaunati’s team is extremely competitive, especially with Maddie Feaunati’s transition to the back row.

Former Wales captain Philippa Tuttiett told BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly, “Some really difficult decisions will be made, but it is in their hands to play their hearts out.”

I’m not entirely certain whether England has any younger senior players who can do that. You want some older senior players in your squad.

Jade Shekells, a powerful Gloucester-Hartpury center, was a surprise guest for her Saturday debut Red Roses.

Her powerful carry caught Mitchell’s attention before the 28-year-old captained her against Italy to add another player to a list of talented centers. She had only recently re-joined XVs from sevens.

Emily Scarratt, a 117-cap player, makes her first appearance since the opening round and, like Packer, she makes a comeback to the matchday squad.

Scarratt, the 2014 World Cup winner, told BBC Sport, “We are completely blessed at the moment with so much strength and depth with so many good kids.”

“The team is awesome, really pushing everyone to push themselves,” says one employee.

England will win their fourth successive Grand Slam and help them win the tournament against Scotland in Italy, which will give them a run for their money.

Ward said the Red Roses must keep an eye on her dangerous Bristol Bears team-mates despite not losing any of her 23 Six Nations games against Scotland. The Red Roses have only managed to resolve five of their encounters by an overall score of 266-22.

The Bears’ Premiership Women’s Rugby season opener features hooker Lana Skeldon, eighth-ranked Evie Gallagher, and center Emma Orr.

“From my experience at Bristol, I am aware that Scotland have some incredible players. Bristol’s Ward told Rugby Union Weekly that she and some of the best players from Scotland.

They will turn up for England without a doubt; it will be a huge game. They will likely have a fire in their bellies when they arrive.

Campbell, Botterman, Muir, Talling, Matthews, Hunt, Rowland, Scarratt, and others.

Scotland: Rollie, Lloyd, Orr, Thomson, McGhee, Nelson (capt), Mattison, Young, Skeldon, Clarke, Bonar, Boyd, Gallagher, McLachlan, Konkel, and Orr.

Replacements: Phillips Scott, Martin, Bartlett, Poolman, Ferrie, Bell, Clarke, and Clark.

Referee: Italy’s Clara Munarini.