England's Red Roses are shaking things up in the back three once again, as coach John Mitchell continues to experiment ahead of their Women's Six Nations clash with Italy in Parma this Saturday.
Emma Sing returns to the starting lineup at full-back, while the electric Ellie Kildunne shifts out to the wing. Joining them is Gloucester-Hartpury teammate Mia Venner, who earns just her third cap in a fresh-look combination. Kildunne, who scored a brilliant double against Scotland last month, will be looking to bring that same finishing touch from her new position.
There are enforced changes in the pack, too. Sadia Kabeya is still sidelined with shoulder and chest muscle injuries sustained in the win over Wales, while number eight Alex Matthews has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with a shoulder issue. Their absences mean six of the pack that started September's Rugby World Cup final win over Canada are now unavailable—either through injury or pregnancy.
Stepping into the back row is Bristol teenager Demelza Short, who makes her first start at blindside flanker after debuting in the second row against Scotland. Meanwhile, Trailfinders' Haidee Head, a 22-year-old Australian-raised back row, is in line for a potential Red Roses debut from the bench.
In the second row, Short's club teammate Delaney Burns continues her run, while Mitchell rotates his props—Kelsey Clifford and Maud Muir get the nod in the front row. Fly-half Zoe Harrison returns to the starting side, replacing Holly Aitchison as the rotation at 10 continues.
Italy will be no pushovers, despite losing their opening two matches to France and Ireland. They bounced back in style before the rest week, hammering Scotland 41-14. And while the Azzurre have steadily closed the gap on England in recent Six Nations encounters—losing by margins of 74, 63, 48, and 33 points since 2022—this Red Roses side is on a run of 36 consecutive victories. Even with home advantage and a raft of first-choice stars missing, it would take a monumental effort to derail England's charge toward a final-round showdown.