England will be without No 8 Alex Matthews for their final two Women’s Six Nations fixtures after she was ruled out with shoulder damage sustained in the 33-12 round-one win over Ireland. Matthews, a double World Cup winner, is scheduled for surgery this week and will miss Saturday’s trip to Italy and the likely title decider against France on May 17 in Bordeaux.
Several other forwards remain sidelined or are managing injuries. Lilli Ives Campion and Sadia Kabeya remain in camp as they continue rehabilitation targeting fitness for Bordeaux. Hannah Botterman and Morwenna Talling are also in the treatment room. In addition, Zoe Stratford, Abbie Ward, Lark Atkin-Davies and Rosie Galligan are absent from the squad due to pregnancy.
Despite the absences, England’s campaign has continued to gather momentum; their 62-24 win over Wales in round three extended a run of success to 36 consecutive victories. For the Parma trip, head coach John Mitchell has made a number of changes to the back line and bench.
Team changes for Parma
– Ellie Kildunne returns on the left wing.
– Emma Sing is restored at full-back.
– Mia Venner starts on the right wing, winning her fourth cap.
– Zoe Harrison replaces Holly Aitchison at fly-half.
On the bench, Australian-born Haidee Head has been included as back-row cover and looks set to make her England debut. Bristol newcomers Delaney Burns and Demelza Short continue in the back row following previous selections.
Mitchell stressed the importance of maintaining the team’s momentum and focusing on key actions: applying pressure, attacking space with speed and showing courage in decisive moments. He also warned that Italy, boosted by a 41-14 win over Scotland, will pose different challenges.
Selected England XV (Parma):
E Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury); M Venner (Gloucester-Hartpury), M Jones (Trailfinders Women, capt), H Rowland (Loughborough Lightning), E Kildunne (Harlequins); Z Harrison (Saracens), L Packer (Harlequins); K Clifford (Saracens), A Cokayne (Sale Sharks), M Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury), A Burton (Trailfinders Women), D Burns (Bristol Bears), D Short (Bristol Bears), M Packer (Saracens), M Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs).
Replacements: C Powell (Harlequins), M Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury), S Bern (Bristol Bears), H Lutui (Loughborough Lightning), H Head (Trailfinders Women), F Robinson (Exeter Chiefs), H Aitchison (Sale Sharks), C Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs).
England’s 2026 Women’s Six Nations fixtures so far:
– England 33-12 Ireland (April 11) – Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
– Scotland 7-84 England (April 18) – Murrayfield, Edinburgh
– England 62-24 Wales (April 25) – Ashton Gate, Bristol
– vs Italy (Saturday May 9) – Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma (3pm)
– vs France (Sunday May 17) – Stade Atlantique, Bordeaux (5.45pm)