The countdown is over and all the talking can stop, because this afternoon sees the start of the 2021 Women’s Six Nations as England take on Scotland at Castle Park. Kick off  16:00 (15:00 UK time).

The reigning champions will be looking to get off to a flying start against their old adversaries in Doncaster, as they look to increase their Championship unbeaten run to 12 matches this weekend.

The visitors will be looking to build on their last outing, which saw them hold 2018 Grand Slam winners France to a 13-13 draw at Scotstoun in the final match of the 2020 Championship.

With the new three-team pool format this year, a victory to start the competition is more vital than ever. The victor in this will steal a march at the top of Pool A, with a match against Italy to come to determine the final standings later in the competition.

The omens don’t bode well for the visitors heading into this one, having been beaten in each of their last five meetings against the Red Roses, and failing to score a point in each of their last two matches on English soil.

In fact, Scotland’s winless run in the competition stretches for nine matches heading into this one, with their last Women’s Six Nations success back in 2018 when they dispatched of Ireland 15-12.

TEAM NEWS 

Emily Scarratt will captain England this weekend, as head coach Simon Middleton selects a team with a mixture of youth and experience for the showdown in Doncaster.

Prop Bryony Cleall is set to earn just her second cap for the Red Roses alongside Vickii Cornborough and Lark Davies, while lock Cath O’Donnell returns to the starting XV for the first time since July 2019.

Zoe Aldcroft, Lydia Thompson and Sarah McKenna also return to take on Bryan Easson’s outfit at Castle Park after missing the autumn internationals due to injury.

Elsewhere, Leanne Riley starts at scrum-half alongside Helena Rowland at fly-half while winger Abby Dow misses the match due to personal reasons.

Scotland head coach Easson has stuck with the majority of the team that held onto a momentous draw against France last time out, making just three changes in the pack.

Christine Belisle comes will start at prop alongside Leah Bartlett, with Lana Skeldon completing the front row at hooker, while Louise McMillan comes in to partner Emma Wassell in the second-row.

Siobhan Cattigan lines up at No.8 in the final change for Scotland, with skipper Rachel Malcolm and Rachel McLachlan either side of her.

Easson continues with the midfield partnership of Hannah Smith and Lisa Thomson in Doncaster, while Helen Nelson and Mairi McDonald make up the half-back pairing.

Elsewhere, Leanne Riley starts at scrum-half alongside Helena Rowland at fly-half while winger Abby Dow misses the match due to personal reasons.

The back three consists of Rachel Shankland and Megan Gaffney on the wings and Chloe Rollie at full-back, while Evie Gallagher could make her international debut from the bench.

WHAT THEY SAID 

England head coach Simon Middleton said: “We’re pleased to be able to welcome a number of players back from injury. It’s great to have Bryony back in the frame.

“It’s over two years since her debut and she’s been really unfortunate with injuries, however she’s continued to work hard on her rehab and return to play programme and deserves her opportunity.

“Similarly, Cath O’Donnell has been out for a long time. Cath brings a physicality and a go forward quality you need in international rugby and it’s great to see her back on the field.

“We’ve had a high-quality week preparing in Doncaster and we are as ready as we can possibly be at this point to play.

“Games against Scotland are always special occasions and this one will be no different. We’re delighted our games are being broadcast across the BBC and are aiming to put on a show.”

Scotland head coach Bryan Easson said: “The team that will take the field on Saturday has an exciting blend of youth and experience.

“We have several players that have been involved in a number of Six Nations Championships now, but we also have a lot of young and upcoming talent that are pushing for places in the team.

“As a management group, we are looking for players to express themselves on both sides of the ball and also showcase the hard work that they have put in over this difficult period.

“The group have worked incredibly hard since August so we’ve had a good amount of preparation ahead of the tournament but we are now just ready and excited to get back on the pitch and play.”

KEY BATTLE 

England specialise in breaking teams down up front, so it is pivotal that the Scottish front-row keep their wits about them to try and keep their opponents at bay on Saturday.

Vickii Cornborough and Lark Davies are no stranger to putting in a shift up front in the Women’s Six Nations, giving the inexperienced Bryony Cleall the perfect platform to perform alongside them.

Cleall is making just her second Red Roses appearance after scoring in her first match against Ireland back in 2019, while twin sister Poppy will be on hand to mop up from the maul to add to her four tries in the 2020 Championship.

On the Scottish side, the fearsome threesome of Lana Skeldon, Leah Bartlett and Christine Belisle will be packing down at Castle Park, and will prove fierce competition to their opposite numbers throughout the 80 minutes.

This one will be a battle to the end, but whoever wins the set piece will gain momentum as they try to get their 2021 Championship off to a flying start.

FANTASY WATCH 

If Emily Scarratt isn’t already in your Women’s Six Nations Fantasy Rugby team, then you’re doing something wrong.

The Red Roses skipper top the scoring charts in 2020 with 55 points as well gaining 376m with the ball in hand – more than anybody else in the competition – making her a shoe-in for any wannabe rugby coach out there, even with her 18.0 price tag.

Flying winger Jess Breach is also worth pushing the boat at for at 16.5 stars, with the 2019 Women’s Six Nations top try scorer always an odds-on bet to cross in any match she plays.

he Red Roses also boast the 2020 top try scorer in their ranks in No.8 Poppy Cleall, and she will also be looking to grab even more this time around – she’s yours for 15.0 stars.

For the visitors, captain Rachel Malcolm looks to be the star pick, having produced more tackles than any other Scottish player in the 2020 Championship with 41, and at 13.0 stars she doesn’t break the bank either.

Harlequins star Chloe Rollie has shown her quality in the Allianz Premier 15s this year, and with an average of 104m gained per match in 2020, she is worth every bit of her 15.0 cost.

England: 15. Sarah McKenna, 14. Lydia Thompson, 13. Emily Scarratt (c), 12. Lagi Tuima, 11. Jess Breach, 10. Helena Rowland, 9. Leanne Riley, 1. Vickii Cornborough, 2. Lark Davies, 3. Bryony Cleall, 4. Abbie Ward, 5. Cath O’Donnell, 6. Zoe Aldcroft, 7. Marlie Packer, 8. Poppy Cleall

Replacements: 16. Amy Cokayne, 17. Detysha Harper, 18. Shaunagh Brown, 19. Harriet Millar-Mills, 20. Vicky Fleetwood, 21. Claudia MacDonald, 22. Megan Jones, 23. Ellie Kildunne

Scotland: 15. Chloe Rollie, 14. Rachel Shankland, 13. Hannah Smith,12. Lisa Thomson, 11. Megan Gaffney, 10. Helen Nelson, 9. Mairi McDonald, 1. Leah Bartlett, 2. Lana Skeldon, 3. Christine Belisle, 4. Emma Wassell, 5. Louise McMillan, 6. Rachel Malcolm (c), 7. Rachel McLachlan, 8. Siobhan Cattigan

Replacements: 16. Molly Wright, 17. Panashe Muzambe, 18. Lisa Cockburn, 19. Evie Gallagher, 20. Jodie Rettie, 21. Jenny Maxwell, 22. Sarah Law, 23. Liz Musgrove

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