Young gun Millie David will make her England debut against Wales at Ashton Gate – but John Mitchell has been forced into another second row rethink as the Red Roses’ lock crisis deepens.
20-year-old wing David will start in the back three in the city where she plies her club trade as she wins her first cap after two impressive seasons within Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR).
Emerging second row Lilli Ives Campion has been ruled out with a minor knee issue, though, leaving Mitchell without his top five locks. Regular captain Zoe Stratford, Abbie Ward and Rosie Galligan are pregnant, while Morwenna Talling suffered a tournament-ending injury in the opener against Ireland.
Abi Burton, normally a flanker, continues in the second row alongside Bristol’s Delaney Burns, who was not initially named in the squad for the Six Nations and has not featured for her country since 2023.
Elsewhere, veteran Marlie Packer is promoted from the bench into the starting back row while Holly Aitchison is given another opportunity at fly half. Meg Jones will captain England against the country of her birth for the first time.
“Last weekend was a special performance by the team at Murrayfield and one the whole squad and staff can be proud of, but we’ve already left that behind us,” Mitchell said after an 84-7 win over Scotland “This week is about being clear on where our game is strong and where we need to improve.
“Wales are a side that over-commit at the contest, which will challenge us in a different way. It’s one we’re looking forward to, and an opportunity to keep evolving our game beyond the level we’ve started to build. Under Sean Lynn, Wales are improving, playing with greater clarity and enthusiasm, and we know we’ll have to earn that right again.
“For us, it’s about elevating our game. That means being courageous in our skillsets, building better connections, and owning our decisions. I love this side when it embraces those challenges, especially in front of a sold-out Ashton Gate.”
England have won their last 35 matches and not lost in this competition since 2018, though their depth is being severely tested during this campaign. Hannah Botterman, Tatyana Heard and Alex Matthews are among other regular first-choice starters currently out of action.
Ives Campion had stepped as Mitchell’s lineout leader and a figure of real importance within the starting pack, and it is hoped she may return for the final two fixtures against Italy and France.
England XV to face Wales in Bristol (Saturday 25 April, 2.15pm BST): 1 Mackenzie Carson, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Sarah Bern; 4 Abi Burton, 5 Delaney Burns; 6 Sadia Kabeya, 7 Marlie Packer, 8 Maddie Feaunati; 9 Lucy Packer, 10 Holly Aitchison; 11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, 12 Helena Rowland, 13 Meg Jones (capt.), 14 Millie David; 15 Ellie Kildunne.
Replacements: 16 Connie Powell, 17 Kelsey Clifford, 18 Maud Muir, 19 Haineala Lutui, 20 Demelza Short; 21 Flo Robinson, 22 Zoe Harrison, 23 Jess Breach.