Preview: Women's Six Nations Round Two
With England Women setting the early pace in the Six Nations the onus is on the rest to prove they can match them in Round Two.
With England Women setting the early pace in the Six Nations the onus is on the rest to prove they can match them in Round Two.
The reigning champions smashed Wales 55-0 in the opening round and are gunning for a third straight Grand Slam. With France also recording a good win over Scotland it looks like it could be another two-horse race. We preview all this weekend's action.
Italy Women v England Women, Saturday February 9, Stadio Tre Font, 13:30 GMT
Gary Street has made five changes to the side that beat Wales Women in the opening round for England's game against Italy in Rome on Saturday.
Four of the changes come in the pack, where Sophie Hemming and Rochelle Clark come in at loosehead and tighthead respectively. Sarah Beale replaces Jo McGilchrist in the second row, with the latter dropping down to the bench. The last change up front sees England A skipper Karen Jones promoted to the senior side and she takes her place at number six.
Alice Richardson will start at fly-half in place of Katy McLean who is named on the bench. The only other change to the 22 sees a call-up for hooker Samantha Dale who could make her England debut if she is called off the bench.
“We have got such depth in this squad that I am really happy to be able to make these changes,” said Street.
“It's really important that we give as many players as possible game time whilst at the same time keeping our squad and our campaign fresh and exciting.
England ran out 23-0 winners over Italy last season, but found the going tough against a side they were widely tipped to beat with more ease. And Street is expecting another thorough examination of his side on Saturday.
“We under performed against Italy last year, probably because we didn't really know what to expect as they were new to the championship,” he added.
“What we did learn about them though was that they have a very good pack and they are a hard working side that keep to their game plan. They certainly have some very good coaches on board and we will have to put in another solid performance to continue to be successful in our campaign.”
Italy Women's coach Gianfranco Ermolli has mixed things up in the back line after a 19-0 defeat in their opening game.
The Schiavon sisters are restored to their usual half-back combination, forcing Elisa Facchini onto the bench. Veronica Schiavon's move means Federica Carlet is promoted to the starting XV and slots in on the wing.
There is also one change in the pack that sees Lara Fabbri come into the second row in place of Daniela Gini. Gini has to settle for a place on the bench.
The Teams:
Italy Women: 15 Michela Tondinelli, 14 Federica Carlet, 13 Silvia Pizzati, 12 Paola Zangirolami (c), 11 Anna Mariani, 10 Veronica Schiavon, 9 Valentina Schiavon, 8 Silvia Gaudino, 7 Giuliana Campanella, 6 Sara Pettinelli, 5 Lara Fabbri, 4 Martina Barbini, 3 Flavia Severin, 2 Elisa Cucchiella, 1 Cristina Sanfilippo.
Replacements: 16 Veronica Ceradini, 17 Greta Petese, 18 Alessandra Mestriner, 19 Daniela Gini, 20 Licia Stefan, 21 Elisa Facchini, 22 Samatha Pagli.
England Women: 15 Charlotte Barras, 14 Michaela Staniford, 13 Claire Allan, 12 Rachael Burford, 11 Danielle Waterman, 10 Alice Richardson, 9 Amy Turner, 8 Catherine Spencer (c), 7 Margaret Alphonsi, 6 Karen Jones, 5 Sarah Beale, 4 Tamara Taylor, 3 Rochelle Clark, 2 Amy Garnett, 1 Sophie Hemming.
Replacements: 16 Samantha Dale, 17 Katy Storie, 18 Joanna McGilchrist, 19 Jane Leonard, 20 Katy McLean, 21 Katherine Merchant, 22 Victoria Massarella.
Referee: Leighton Hodges (Wales)
Wales Women v Scotland Women, Sunday February 10, Taffs Well RFC, 13:00 GMT
Jason Lewis has named an unchanged Wales Women XV for their clash against Scotland Women at Taffs Well RFC on Sunday.
Despite going down 55-0 to England Lewis believes his side showed enough in the opening quarter to warrant a second chance this week.
“I felt in the first 25 minutes of the England game, we showed real glimpses of what we have been trying to achieve in training, and I'm confident that these players can recover and build on those glimpses,” Lewis said.
“England are probably in a class of their own in this Championship and we must judge ourselves against the likes of Scotland, Ireland and Italy, starting with Scotland on Sunday.”
The one change in the squad sees Philippa Tuttiett replace Awen Thomas on the bench.
Despite a heavy defeat against France Women in their opening game Scotland Women's coach Lee Adamson has named an unchanged starting side, with just one change on the bench.
“We dominated parts of our game against France last weekend and we showed real improvement since our last Six Nations campaign,” Adamson said.
“We've got a talented group of players in this squad so it's only a matter of time before we start getting the results we know we are capable of.
“I'm looking for yet another improved performance this weekend but it's going to be tough against a Welsh side which is also unchanged since last weekend.”
The only change sees Cara De Silva come onto the bench in place of Lynsey Harley.
The Teams:
Wales Women: 15 Non Evans, 14 Louise Rickard, 13 Rachel Poolman, 12 Clare Flowers, 11 Hayley Baxter, 10 Naomi Thomas, 9 Amy Day, 8 Mel Berry (c), 7 Nicola Evans, 6 Catrina Nicholas, 5 Claire Donovan, 4 Gemma Hallett, 3 Jenny Davies, 2 Rhian Bowden, 1 Louise Horgan.
Replacements: 16 Claire Horgan, 17 Ruth Evans , 18 Rachel Taylor, 19 Jenny Doyle, 20 Laura Prosser, 21 Philippa Tuttiett, 22 Michaela Reed.
Scotland Women: 15 Lynsey Douglas, 14 Hazel Bielinski, 13 Veronica Fitzpatrick, 12 Suzi Newton, 11 Tanya Griffith, 10 Louise Dalgleish, 9 Sarah Gill, 8 Sonia Cull, 7 Lynne Reid, 6 Lana Blyth, 5 Lindsay Wheeler, 4 Jilly McCord (c), 3 Beth Dickens, 2 Sarah-Louise Walker, 1 Heather Lockhart.
Replacements: 16 Joan Hutchinson, 17 Mary Lafaiki, 18 Alex Pratt, 19 Louise Moffat, 20 Laura Steven, 21 Cara De Silva, 22 Julie Sanaghan.
Referee: Paul Knowles (England)
Touch judges: Greg Morgan (Wales), Jason Langdon (Wales)
France Women v Ireland Women, Sunday February 10, St Gratien, 14:00 GMT
John O'Sullivan has named an unchanged side for Ireland Women's game against France Women in Paris on Sunday.
Having overcome Italy Women 19-0 in their opening game O'Sullivan was happy to stick with a winning formula as they look to beat France for the first time in their history.
France come into the game on the back of a resounding win over Scotland, although they were run close by Ireland last year, running out eventual winners 13-11.
“We know how good a team France are and that it will be very tough for us to get a result,” said O'Sullivan.
“France, especially at home, are a very formidable outfit, and in reality last year was the closest any Irish team has come