Women’s rugby Hunter ruled out of potential Grand Slam clincher

CAPTAIN Sarah Hunter has been ruled out of England’s Women’s Six Nations game against Italy on Sunday with a hamstring injury, as the champions seek a second successive Grand Slam.

England, who have not played since the tournament was interrupted in March, won the title on Sunday after France failed to beat Scotland.

Centre Emily Scarratt will lead the side in the absence of Hunter, pictured.

Flanker Marlie Packer is in the matchday 23 after nine months out.

England head coach Simon Middleton said he was “disappointed” by the absence of Hunter but explained he wanted her to “recover properly” with “a big year ahead”, referencing the World Cup which takes place in 11 months’ time.

Packer did not feature in any of England’s Six Nations matches earlier this year because of an ankle injury and is joined in the pack by the returning Abbie Ward. Ward - known as Abbie Scott until her wedding in August - also missed the first four games of the Six Nations, having spent 11 months sidelined with an injury until earlier this month.

“Having Abbie Ward and Marlie Packer back is a huge plus for us,” said Middleton. “They’re vitally experienced and talented players.”

The competition in the squad is further increased by the return of sevens players Ellie Kildunne, Alex Matthews and Helena Rowland.

Rowland is set to earn her first cap alongside Loughborough Lightning forward Morwenna Talling, whose club-mate Detysha Harper is in line for her second.

Following the match in Italy, the Red Roses will play France in Grenoble on November 14, before hosting the same opponents at Twickenham on November 21.

With forwards coach Richard Blaze leaving for men’s Premiership side Wasps earlier this year, former Yorkshire Carnegie coach Mark Luffman has joined the England set-up. Luffman joins from Premier 15s side Darlington Mowden Park Sharks and has previously worked with the England men’s Under-18s. “To have the opportunity to represent my country and work with a senior international team is a real honour and a privilege,” said Luffman. “We have a highly talented and driven group of players and I’m looking forward to helping them develop further as we build up to the World Cup.” England squad - forwards: Beckett, Bern, Brow, Cleall, Cokayne, Cornborough, Davies, Harper, Matthews, Millar-Mills, Talling, Packer, Ward.

Backs: Breach, Daley-Mclean, Dow, Harrison, Hunt, Kildunne, MacDonald, Rowland, Reed, Scarratt (capt).