Richmond centre Abigail Chamberlain will make her England Women’s debut in their Six Nations opener against Scotland on Saturday.

Chamberlain, who has played for England A and captained England Sevens, is part of an entirely different backline from the autumn Tests against New Zealand.

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Captain Sarah Hunter is one of only three players remaining from the team which secured a 3-0 series win .

Many of England’s regulars are involved in the Sevens World Series instead.

Prop Roz Crowley and lock Tamara Taylor are the other surviving starters from the third Test against the world champions on 1 December.

Experienced flanker Jo McGilchrist and wing Kay Wilson both return after long-term injury.

In the absence of the entire backline – including captain Katy McLean – that started the first and third Test wins against New Zealand, full-back Lauran Cattell, wing Lydia Thompson and centre Amber Reed all start against Scotland, while Ceri Large and Georgina Gulliver are the half-backs.

England have won six Grand Slams in the past seven years and are aiming for their eighth successive Six Nations title.

“Despite missing several players to the Sevens WRWC training squad, this is still a strong starting line-up and I am sure many teams would also still fear our bench,” said coach Gary Street, who earlier this month explained that England’s priority this season is to win the Sevens World Cup in June.

“Many of our players may have only a handful of caps between them but the likes of Amber Reed, Hannah Gallagher and Ceri Large have all played France and the world champions New Zealand, and have beaten them.”

England team: Lauren Cattell (Saracens), Lydia Thompson (Worcester), Abigail Chamberlain (Richmond), Amber Reed (Bristol), Kay Wilson (Bristol), Ceri Large (Worcester), Georgina Gulliver (Lichfield), Kate Newton (Bristol), Emma Croker (Richmond), Roz Crowley (Lichfield), Tamara Taylor (Lichfield) Emily Braund (Lichfield), Joanna McGilchrist (Wasps), Hannah Gallagher (Saracens) Sarah Hunter (capt.) (Lichfield)

Replacements: Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield), Laura Keates (Worcester), Rochelle Clark (Worcester), Rebecca Essex (Richmond), Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield), La Toya Mason (Wasps), Sally Tuson (Bristol), Fiona Pocock (Richmond)

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Scotland Women kick-off their opening match in the Women’s Six Nations Championship with a team reflecting a mix of maturity, new faces and the experience gained through playing a summer of sevens.

Eagerly anticipating their opening fixture against England (Saturday 2 February, at Esher, kick-off 2pm), head coach Karen Findlay said: “Scotland against England always has that added edge and it’ll be a really good opportunity to see how our training has progressed, how our squad has developed and be an exciting start to the 2013 campaign.”

The campaign warmed-up with a training game against the British Army ten days ago, played in blizzard conditions, Scotland edging the opposition 10-5 on the night.

Findlay said: “It was really important our players had the chance to trial some things we’ve been practising in training and from a coaching perspective, it was a great opportunity for us to try out some of the combinations we wanted to look at in terms of our front five, back row and midfield.”

Making her debut in the Scotland jersey is Bridget Millar-Mills, alongside fellow lock Lindsay Wheeler who makes her 53rd appearance for her country.

Welcomed back into the starting XV is winger Annabel Sergeant, after a season out and experience gained while playing for the national women’s sevens squad. She lines up alongside fellow sevens team members Steph Johnston (full-back), Sarah Dixon (outside centre), Megan Gaffney (wing), Louise Dalgliesh (scrum half), Tess Forsberg (openside flanker) and Susie Brown (no 8) who, once again, captains the squad.

Meanwhile prop Heather Lockhart wins her 59th cap, having made her Scotland debut in November 2004. Sarah Quick retains her place at hooker with Tracey Balmer returning at tight-head. Mary Lafaiki, at blindside, makes her first start for Scotland after six appearances as substitute.

Newcomers to the squad, on the bench, are Becca Parker, Jade Konkel, Sarah Law and Leanne Neary. While Becca, daughter of former Scotland B forward Hugh, honed her early skills by continuing to play through university, Jade, Sarah and Leanne have developed their game through Scotland Women’s age grade programme. Sarah, who turned 18 last month, was first capped for Scotland Women 7s in the Women’s Rugby World Cup 7s qualifier in Moscow in June 2012, just days after leaving school.

Scotland team: Steph Johnston (RHC Cougars), Annabel Sergeant (Richmond), Sarah Dixon (RHC Cougars), Lisa Ritchie (Carlisle), Megan Gaffney (Hillhead Jordanhill); Tanya Griffith (RHC Cougars), Louise Dalgliesh (RHC Cougars); Heather Lockhart (Hillhead Jordanhill), Sarah Quick (Murrayfield Wanderers), Tracey Balmer (Worcester), Lindsay Wheeler (Richmond), Bridget Millar-Mills (Worcester), Mary Lafaiki (Hillhead Jordanhill), Tess Forsberg (Richmond), Susie Brown (capt – Richmond).

Replacements: Beth Dickens (Murrayfield Wanderers), Suzanne McKerlie-Hex (Murrayfield Wanderers), Lindsey Smith (Hillhead Jordanhill), Becca Parker (Hillhead Jordanhill), Jade Konkel (Hillhead Jordanhill), Sarah Law (Murrayfield Wanderers), Leanne Neary (Murrayfield Wanderers), Lauren Harris (Melrose).