Holly Aitchison will start at fly half for England in their Women’s Six Nations opener against Ireland, as the Red Roses return to action for the first time since winning the Rugby World Cup in September. The match takes place at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium, with more than 75,000 tickets sold for the fixture on Saturday 11 April.
Head coach John Mitchell has named a side featuring several changes. Helena Rowland partners new captain Meg Jones in the centres after Tatyana Heard was ruled out through injury, while Claudia Moloney-MacDonald replaces the retired Abby Dow on the wing. Moloney-MacDonald will face her wife, Ireland hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, in a notable subplot. Lock Lilli Ives Campion is handed a starting role in the absence of the pregnant trio Zoe Stratford, Abbie Ward and Rosie Galligan.
Among the replacements is Haineala Lutui, a 19-year-old Loughborough Lightning forward and daughter of former Tonga international Aleki Lutui, who could make her debut. Lutui has been the leading ball carrier in Premiership Women’s Rugby this season. There is also a return for hooker Connie Powell, who missed out on the World Cup squad, while veteran flanker Marlie Packer is not included.
Mitchell said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity to be returning to Allianz Stadium in front of our fans for the first time since the 2025 Rugby World Cup final. We’ve all felt the lasting impact of 2025, and that’s reflected in the incredible ticket sales for Saturday’s match. The players relish, and absolutely deserve, the opportunity to perform in front of record crowds, but they also understand the responsibility that comes with that stage.”
Ireland, captained by flanker Erin King who returns from injury, have named a settled side. Dannah O’Brien continues at fly half, while prop Ellena Perry makes her first Women’s Six Nations appearance for Ireland having previously won 11 caps for England before switching allegiance. Eilis Cahill and Katie Whelan are possible debutants on the bench. Ireland were beaten 88-10 on their last visit to Twickenham.
