Lightning star Davies part of new front row for Six Nations clash

ENGLAND MAKE FIVE CHANGES FOR SCOTLAND SHOWDOWN

ENGLAND Women’s head coach Simon Middleton has made five changes to his starting XV for tomorrow’s Six Nations clash against Scotland (12.10pm) in Glasgow.

Middleton has picked a new front row as the Red Roses continue their Grand Slam defence after beating France 13-19 in Pau on Sunday.

Fresh from earning her 50th cap, Vickii Cornborough starts in the front row alongside Loughborough Lightning’s Lark Davies and Sarah Bern.

After impressing from the bench against France, Amber Reed starts at 12, Zoe Harrison takes her place at 10 while Emily Scott comes in at full-back.

Wasps FC Ladies’ Claudia MacDonald returns to the squad and is among the finishers.

Middleton said: “We’re really looking forward to the game in Glasgow on the back of a strong opening weekend for us.

“Our strength-in-depth means we’ve had players patiently waiting in the wings for an opportunity and we’ve freshened up the squad and starting XV.

“Claudia MacDonald is one such player who we see as significant in our plans going forward and it’s important she gets game time to further her development.

“Equally, Leanne Riley has performed excellently for us and at Harlequins this season and after training well with us this week, has remained in England to allow us to rotate the squad as we feel necessary.

“Scotland have a lot of quality with a number of their players playing in the Tyrrells Premier 15s.

“We know they’ll present a strong, physical test and it’s vital we match them in every department.

“Philip Doyle is doing a brilliant job with their programme and the team’s development since coming in last May.

“This game is also a big opportunity for some of our more experienced players such as Vicky Fleetwood, Amber Reed and Vickii Cornborough who haven’t had a lot of recent game time due to injury.

“Zoe Harrison has played a fair amount at 12 for us recently so we’re looking forward to seeing her in a number 10 role at Scotstoun Stadium.

“We were naturally delighted with the performance and result in France.

“We have had a good week in training and are now very much focused on tomorrow’s game in Glasgow.”

15 Emily Scott (Harlequins Women, 35 caps), 14 Abby Dow (Wasps FC Ladies, 10 caps), 13 Emily Scarratt

England matchday squad:

(VC, Loughborough Lightning, 86 caps), 12 Amber Reed (Bristol Bears Women, 54 caps), 11 Jess Breach (Harlequins Women, 11 caps), 10 Zoe Harrison (Saracens Women, 21 caps), 9 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury Women, 51 caps), 1 Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins Women, 50 caps), 2 Lark Davies (Loughborough Lightning, 23 caps), 3 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears Women, 32 caps),

4 Poppy Cleall (Saracens Women, 37 caps), 5 Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury Women, 17 caps), 6 Sarah Beckett (Harlequins Women, 14 caps), 7 Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens Women, 73 caps), 8 Sarah Hunter (C, Loughborough Lightning, 120 caps).

16 Amy Cokayne (Harlequins Women, 47 caps), 17 Hannah Botterman (Saracens Women, 18 caps), 18 Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins Women, 14 caps), 19 Harriet Millar-Mills (Wasps FC Ladies, 52 caps), 20 Amelia Harper (Loughborough Lightning, 1 cap), 21 Claudia MacDonald (Wasps FC Ladies, 8 caps), 22 Katy DaleyMclean (Loughborough Lightning, 111 caps), 23 Sarah McKenna (Saracens Women, 29 caps).

Finishers:

Detysha Harper (Loughborough Lightning, 0 caps)

Non-playing reserve: