Helena Rowland set for 50th England cap against Italy

Helena Rowland will win her 50th international cap when England face Italy in Round 4 of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

The versatile Red Roses back reaches the milestone at the same venue where she made her England debut in November 2020, as England make a few changes to their side for the trip to Parma.

Helena Rowland Reaches England Milestone

Rowland has become one of the key figures in the England setup and now brings 186 international points into her 50th Test appearance. The Loughborough Lightning player has featured prominently throughout the current campaign and remains an important part of the Red Roses backline.

Red Roses Team News For Italy Clash

England have made two changes to the backline from their previous win over Wales, with Emma Sing and Mia Venner coming into the back three, while Ellie Kildunne is named on the wing. Captain Megan Jones starts at outside centre, with Lucy Packer and Zoe Harrison forming the half-back partnership.

In the forwards, Kelsey Clifford and Maud Muir start as props alongside hooker Amy Cokayne. Abi Burton continues in the second row with Delaney Burns, while Marlie Packer, Maddie Feaunati and Demelza Short complete the back row.

England Injury Update And Possible Debut

There is also the prospect of a debut from Trailfinders Women forward Haidee Head, who has been named on the bench.

Head coach John Mitchell said England had used the week to reset and sharpen their focus, while warning that Italy would arrive with confidence.

“This week is about re-establishing our processes and sharpening our focus now that we have new purpose. We’ve had a deliberate reset around learning where we will need to improve, we trust the way we play, and now it’s time to get back to it.

“We’ve built momentum throughout this tournament by stacking strong moments together, and that will be crucial again this week. Italy will be full of confidence after their result against Scotland, and they’ll challenge us in different ways."

England also confirmed that Alex Matthews has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament and will undergo shoulder surgery this week. Lilli Ives Campion and Sadia Kabeya continue their rehabilitation in camp.

England XV: 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).

Reserves: 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).