Wales v England: Lineups and latest updates from women's Six Nations
4:04PM
Meg Jones: I'm trying to rationalise losing both parents in four months
Meg Jones throws open her front door and her dog, tail wagging, greets his latest visitor. As Jones watches Joey waddle down the drive, his huge eyes easily discernible in the crisp winter mist, a warm smile flickers across her face.
The King Charles Spaniel has been the England rugby player's dearest companion of late. Last year, Jones lost both of her parents in the space of four months. She had not long returned from the Paris Games, where she became a two-time Olympian with Great Britain's sevens team, when her father, Simon, died from lung cancer. Four months later, in early December, she lost her mother, Paula, who had spent the majority of her life dealing with alcoholism and addiction.
With the help of Joey, who belonged to Paula, Jones is navigating the unpredictable cycle of grief. Jones admits she was never a dog person before she inherited her four-legged friend, but the pair have now become inseparable and even have matching khaki coats for our walk around Morley Quarry on the outskirts of Shepshed, Leicestershire, near Jones's home.
'Every time I speak about it, I find a new way of rationalising it,' says the 28-year-old, in her first newspaper interview since losing both of her parents. 'It's cathartic. I know I'm not the first person and I know I won't be the last to experience consecutive deaths. It's more common than you probably realise.'
For more from Fiona Tomas' interview with England's starting outside centre today, click here.
3:51PM
Teams
England starting XV: Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins); Abby Dow (Ealing Trailfinders), Meg Jones (Leicester Tigers), Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury), Jess Breach (Saracens); Zoe Harrison (Saracens), Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury); Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury), Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears), Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears), Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks), Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears), Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, captain), Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning), Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs).
Replacements: Amy Cokayne (Leicester Tigers), Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears), Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury), Rosie Galligan (Saracens), Abi Burton (Ealing Trailfinders), Lucy Packer (Harlequins), Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears), Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning).
Wales starting XV: Jasmine Joyce (Bristol Bears); Lisa Neumann (Harlequins), Hannah Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury, captain), Kayleigh Powell (Harlequins), Carys Cox (Ealing Trailfinders); Lleucu George (Gloucester-Hartpury), Keira Bevan (Bristol Bears); Gwenllian Pyrs (Sale Sharks), Carys Phillips (Harlequins), Jenni Scoble (Gwalia Lightning), Abbie Fleming (Harlequins), Gwen Crabb (Gloucester-Hartpury), Kate Williams (Gloucester-Hartpury), Bethan Lewis (Gloucester-Hartpury), Georgia Evans (Saracens).
Replacements: Kelsey Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury), Maisie Davies (Gwalia Lightning), Donna Rose (Saracens), Alaw Pyrs (Gwalia Lightning), Bryonie King (Gwalia Lightning), Meg Davies (Gloucester-Hartpury), Courtney Keight (Bristol Bears), Nel Metcalfe (Gloucester-Hartpury).
3:46PM
Match preview
England's quest for yet another Women's Six Nations title continues in Cardiff as they travel across The Severn to take on old foes Wales at the Principality Stadium. With a home World Cup on the horizon later this year, their preparations continue as they look to win their seventh straight Six Nations title and a fourth consecutive Grand Slam. John Michell's side began their campaign with a 38-5 home victory over Italy last Sunday. Maddie Feaunati, who was player of the match last week against Italy, has spoken highly of head coach Mitchell.
'He [John Mitchell] really understands us as people first rather than players, there is a deep connection within the squad and also him. He asks us about our personal lives and opens up to us which I think is important if you want to build that trust and friendship.'
'It is so surreal to be playing with the players around me. It is exciting and I am always pinching myself that this is what I am doing right now. I will never take it for granted so I will always keep pushing for more.'
Wales, who finished bottom last year, lost their opening game narrowly in Scotland last weekend. That game was Sean Lynn's first game in charge of the Welsh after guiding Gloucester-Hartpury to a third successive Premiership Women's Rugby title and he is exited about the challenge facing his side against a team of England's calibre.
'To have so many of the Welsh rugby family recognise these players as representing them and turning out to support is an exciting and humbling moment for all the players, coaches and staff. We took the first step of this team's new journey against Scotland and the prospect of playing in front of a record rugby crowd at the home of Welsh rugby, the Principality Stadium, is recognition of the growth in the women's game. The players have been told to be brave and to believe in their ability to compete at the highest level. Most of this squad play in England and train alongside the Red Roses.
'Defensively we have to be on point, mistakes are going to happen but it is that fight I want to see from the girls. When you are growing up it is all about Wales v England, and playing in the Principality with a record crowd it is something we are really proud of. We are so excited and it is what these girls deserve, playing at the Principality and having 18,000. I am hoping we are going to get to the 20,000 mark. We have set out some small challenges for us, what we want to be getting out of it, I just want to make sure that we can put England in a tough place and see how they react. Sport is about pressure.'
England have won their last eight encounters with Wales, including a 46-10 home victory in Bristol last year. They have won 20 of their previous 22 Six Nations matches against Wales. More than 18,000 tickets have been sold for the game, which is a record for a women's sports event in Wales.
Kick-off from Cardiff is at 4.45pm.
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