England’s squad has been hit by further injuries with front-rowers Hannah Botterman and May Campbell ruled out of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations. Botterman requires a second operation on an ankle problem sustained while playing for Bristol in December, and Campbell is due to have knee surgery next week.
Number eight Alex Matthews will also miss Saturday’s match against Scotland after suffering a shoulder injury in England’s 33-12 tournament-opening win over Ireland.
Bristol Bears second-row Delaney Burns and Saracens prop Liz Crake have been called up to John Mitchell’s squad as cover.
The new absences come three days after England confirmed lock Morwenna Talling and scrum-half Natasha Hunt would miss the remainder of the Six Nations with leg injuries. There are additional long-term absentees from the World Cup-winning squad: second rows Zoe Stratford, Abbie Ward and Rosie Galligan are all out for the foreseeable future due to pregnancy, with Stratford also able to cover flanker.