ENGLAND NAME WOMEN'S SIX NATIONS TEAM FOR RETURN TO TWICKENHAM

John Mitchell has made two changes to his Red Roses starting XV to take on Ireland at Twickenham Stadium in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

Captain Marlie Packer is back in the seven jersey, meaning a switch from back row to lock for Zoe Aldcroft, while Lark Atkin-Davies returns at hooker.

The backline remains the same for the third match in a row with the back three of Jess Breach, Abby Dow and Ellie Kildunne scoring five of England’s eight tries in the 46-0 victory over Scotland last time out.

Seventeen of the 23 were involved in last year’s Grand Slam-deciding Twickenham clash with France.

Over 46,500 supporters will be in attendance for the Round 4 match against former England assistant coach Scott Bemand’s Ireland side.

Head coach Mitchell said: “We are excited for the opportunity of another crack at Twickenham in front of our awesome fans. We want to continue to get better in our game and make the most of the experience to benefit us in the future.”

Red Roses team to take on Ireland

15 Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 41 caps)

14 Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women, 43 caps)

13 Megan Jones (Leicester Tigers, 19 caps)

12 Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 20 caps)

11 Jess Breach (Saracens, 36 caps)

10 Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 28 caps)

9 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 70 caps)

1 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 45 caps)

2 Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 56 caps)

3 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 28 caps)

4 Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 51 caps)

5 Rosie Galligan (Saracens, 16 caps)

6 Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 16 caps)

7 Marlie Packer (Saracens, 102 caps) - captain

8 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 65 caps)

Replacements

16 Connie Powell (Harlequins, 17 caps)

17 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 13 caps)

18 Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 6 caps)

19 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 11 caps)

20 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 3 caps)

21 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 19 caps)

22 Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 109 caps)

23 Sydney Gregson (Saracens, 5 caps)