GB Sevens player Jade Shekells could make her XV-a-side international debut on Sunday after being named on the bench for England’s Women’s Six Nations opener against Italy in York.
Gloucester-Hartpury’s Shekells, 28, is joined among the replacements by another of the four uncapped players in John Mitchell’s 37-woman squad – Exeter Chiefs scrum-half Flo Robinson, 23.
Shekells was part of the GB squad at last year’s Olympics in Paris and, if brought on, is set to appear in the centres.
Mia Venner, fresh from helping Gloucester-Hartpury win a third successive Premiership Women’s Rugby title last weekend, wins her second cap on the wing and, like Loughborough Lightning lock Lilli Ives Campion, will be making her first international start.
Zoe Aldcroft captains the side and starts in the back row alongside Marlie Packer, who she replaced as skipper in January.
Helena Rowland, who has mainly operated in the centres in her recent appearances for England, will begin at fly-half.
“She’s definitely versatile but she wants to play at 10 and she sees herself as a 10,” Mitchell said.
“She’s been keen as mustard and knocking my door down so she’s been given the opportunity.
“When she starts, she’ll start at 10 and if she’s in the mix for the 23 going forward, then she becomes versatile – but her first port of call will be at 10.”
