England announce women’s and U20 teams ahead of the first two Six Nations grand slam attempts
Saracens' Vicky Fleetwood is part of the England Women's squad aiming for a Six Nations grand slam in Ireland. Picture: PAUL HARDING/PA WIRE - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
England Women have made just the one change ahead of their grand slam decider in Ireland – one of a potential three for the red rose country.
Saracens' Max Malins scored against France at the start of England U20's so-far successful Six Nations campaign. Picture: BEN BIRCHALL/PA WIRE - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
Amy Wilson-Hardy will line-up on the wing in a winner takes all game on Friday night at Donnybrook Stadium in Dublin.
Both sides have won their opening four games and head coach Simon Middleton knows it is a tough ask.
He said: “We have put ourselves in a position to realise our Six Nations ambitions of winning the championship but we’re under no illusions of how difficult the task will be.
“Ireland have had a great competition so far, showing immense resilience to win four tough games. It promises to be a fantastic end to the tournament and we are confident that come Friday we will be as ready as we can to win our first Grand Slam in five years.”
Saracens will be represented by Emily Scott at fly-half, with Vicky Fleetwood on the bench.
That match kicks off at 8pm, just two hours after England U20s, already crowned Six Nations Champions, look to complete their clean sweep.
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They have made four changes to their starting line-up as they aim for a Six Nations Grand Slam against Ireland at Donnybrook Stadium on Friday (6:00pm kick off).
Sam Aspland-Robinson, Tom Curry and Saracens’ Nick Isiekwe return to the side after missing the 33-5 victory over Scotland last week.
Gloucester hooker Henry Walker is the other change as he earns his first start.
Isiekwe’s fellow Sarries Jack Nay, Max Malins and Dominic Morris also start in the 6pm kick-off.
Ralph Adams-Hale will join them from the bench.
England U20 coach Ian Vass said: “We have been working hard on making sure the players concentrate on how they perform and don’t focus too much on the occasion.
“It’s important we prepare ourselves mentally and physically like we have previously in the tournament and hopefully the result will take care of itself.”
Those games are a precursor for Saturday’s main event which sees the senior men take on the Irish at the Aviva Stadium. Victory for the English will give them back-to-back grand slams, the first ever instance of that since the Six Nations began.
Eddie Jones will announce his chosen side at 10am tomorrow (Thursday).
