England’s squad depth continues to be tested after front rows Hannah Botterman and May Campbell were ruled out of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations. Botterman requires a second operation on an ankle injury sustained on Bristol duty in December, while Campbell is set to undergo knee surgery next week.
A third forward, number eight Alex Matthews, will miss Saturday’s clash with Scotland because of a shoulder problem incurred in the 33-12 victory over Ireland that opened the tournament.
Bristol Bears second row Delaney Burns and Saracens prop Liz Crake have been called into John Mitchell’s squad as cover.
The setbacks come three days after England confirmed that lock Morwenna Talling and scrum-half Natasha Hunt would miss the rest of the Six Nations with leg injuries. There are also several long-term absentees from the World Cup-winning squad, including pregnant trio Zoe Stratford, Abbie Ward and Rosie Galligan — each a second row, with Stratford also able to play flanker — out for the foreseeable future.