England Roses take on Italy Women in their final fixture of the year as they look to end 2019 on a high in a battle of the top two in the 2019 Women’s Six Nations.
It has been a sensational year for the Red Roses as they won the Grand Slam and maintained their unbeaten home record, which now stretches back to 2016.
The winning run remained intact after a dramatic late try from Lydia Thompson secured a 17-15 victory at Sandy Park against France last weekend.
Italy have had an equally impressive 2019. The Azzurre have made plenty of progress as they finished second in the Women’s Six Nations, which included a 31-12 win against France. However, they were held to a 17-17 after conceding a try in the final ten minutes to draw against Japan last weekend.
Ahead of the clash at Goldington Road, England head coach Simon Middleton has made seven changes in the final preparation game ahead of the defence of their Women’s Six Nations crown.
Heather Kerr, Shaunagh Brown, Poppy Cleall and Vicky Fleetwood all come into the pack for the Red Roses, while Claudia MacDonald, Natasha Hunt – who wins her 50th cap and Emily Scott have replaced Leanne Riley, Katy Daley-Mclean and Thompson in the backs.
And Middleton has urged those players who have come in to seize their opportunity.
He said: “The game is a big opportunity for those who have been waiting in the wings this series to show us what they can do and help end our calendar year strongly.”
“We’ve brought Claudia MacDonald back into the group. Claudia is a dynamic, versatile player who carries a threat as both a scrum half and a winger.
“Her potential as a winger surfaced with a strong performance against New Zealand in the super series and we’re looking forward to seeing how she performs this time around on the wing at Goldington Road.”
Italy will be without captain, Ilaria Arrighetti, who was injured last time out against Japan. She has been replaced by Isabella Locatelli at flanker, while Elisa Giordano has taken the responsibility of the captaincy.
Valeria Fedrighi and Melissa Bettoni also come into the pack, while Micol Cavina replaces Laura Paganini as fly-half.
Should Italy win, it would be a piece of history, as England have won each of the previous 19 meetings, with the most recent being a 55-0 victory in March.
England: Sarah McKenna, Abby Dow, Emily Scarratt, Emily Scott, Claudia MacDonald, Zoe Harrison, Natasha Hunt, Sarah Hunter, Vicky Fleetwood, Marlie Packer, Zoe Aldcroft, Poppy Cleall, Shaunagh Brown, Heather Kerr, Hannah Bottermann.
Replacements: Amy Cokayne, Ellena Perry, Sarah Bern, Sarah Beckett, Rownita Marston, Leanne Riley, Katy Daley-Mclean, Jess Breach.
Italy: Sara Barattin, Maria Magatti, Michela Sillari, Beatrice Rigoni, Camilla Sarasso, Micol Cavina, Sofia Stefan, Elisa Giordano, Giada Franco, Isabella Locatelli, Giordana Duca, Valeria Fedrighi, Lucia Gai, Melissa Bettoni, Silvia Turani.
Replacements: Giulia Cerato, Michela Merlo, Sara Tounesi, Valentina Ruzza, Lucia Cammarano, Francesca Sgorbini, Laura Paganini, Beatrice Capomaggi.
