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BBC News
22-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
England begin bid for legacy-defining year
Guinness Women's Six Nations: England v ItalyVenue: LNER Community Stadium, York Date: Sunday, 23 March Kick-off: 15:00 GMTCoverage: Live on BBC Two, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sport website and app Winning is the only currency John Mitchell's England work Red Roses bounce into the Women's Six Nations on a formidable 20-game winning run, eyeing a seventh title in a have not lost since Mitchell took charge in autumn 2023 but that incredible stat will not matter if his side fail to deliver in the year of a home Rugby World Cup starting in August, the countdown begins to the ultimate prize in 2025.A Six Nations Grand Slam is always expected and with it being the last competitive tournament before the showpiece event, it marks the last proper chance to develop an approach to banish any demons from England's most recent defeat - a World Cup final loss to New Zealand in Mitchell or his players will admit it or not, this year is all about legacy-defining glory come first part of successful preparation, in a year where planning needs to be exemplary, starts in York on Sunday against Italy in their Six Nations opener."With it being a home World Cup, we can't ignore that. We are excited by that but the Six Nations is really important to us, we've got a nice little goal within that to evolve our game," Mitchell told BBC Sport."We park that up [World Cup chat] and pay respect to work hard and evolve our game in this tournament so by the time we come round to World Cup preparation, we will probably be in a position where we can consolidate." 'Using competition for places to our advantage' From the win over Canada that secured England's WXV1 title success in October, Mitchell has made seven changes in personnel and some positional alterations to his starting XV to face refused to use the word 'rotation' to describe his selections. Instead, his approach is "one team operating as two".Lock Zoe Aldcroft captains the side for the first time since Mitchell replaced Marlie Packer as skipper, with Packer taking up her new role as vice-captain from open-side Mia Venner is rewarded for her fine Premiership Women's Rugby form with a spot on the wing for a first cap in five years, while full-back Emma Sing will hope to show why a high-percentage goal-kicker needs to be in a World Cup Chiefs' Claudia MacDonald, who has recovered from a second serious neck injury, will be keen to show a reminder of her skills that were integral in England's run to the World Cup final in Lilli Ives Campion is another player making her first start for the Red Roses, while GB Sevens player Jade Shekells and Exeter scrum-half Flo Robinson could make their debuts off the Rowland has been tasked with driving the side from fly-half, despite playing the majority of her rugby for England in the midfield."We've got to use the competition for places to our advantage," the New Zealander added. "2025 starts with the end [a World Cup final] in mind."It's important to realise we'll need two teams to operate this year to play 13 Test matches."Despite falling to a 48-0 defeat in last year's opening Six Nations game to England, Italy forced their opponents into multiple first-half errors and were behind by only 10 points at picked up only one win in that campaign and following two victories from three games at WXV2, they made the bold decision to replace Giovanni Raineri as head coach with Fabio unknown nature of Roselli's side could throw up fresh questions for England and offer some important on-field problem solving."Researching him and his coaching group, they like attacking rugby so I think we'll see an Italian side that will want to express itself early," Mitchell added."They will have been influenced by his leadership and I'm sure they'll want to impress him." Line-ups England: Sing; Venner, Scarratt, Aitchison, MacDonald; Rowland, L Packer; Clifford, Cokayne, Muir, Galligan, Ives Campion, Aldcroft (capt), M Packer, Campbell, Botterman, Bern, Ward, Kabeya, Robinson, Shekells, Ostuni Minuzzi; Muzzo, D'Inca, Rigoni, Granzotto; Madia, Stefan (capt); Turani, Gurioli, Seye, Fedrighi, Duca, Veronese, Locatelli, Vecchini, Stecca, Maris, Tounesi, Franco, Bitonci, Stevanin, Aurelie Groizeleau (Fra)
BBC News
22-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Scarratt keen to play part in England's 'big year'
Women's Six Nations: England v ItalyVenue: LNER Community Stadium, York Date: Sunday, 23 March Kick-off: 15:00 GMTCoverage: Watch on BBC Two, iPlayer, BBC Sport website & app; listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra Experienced centre Emily Scarratt wants to play her part in a "big year ahead" for England, with a home Rugby World Cup to come during August and 35-year-old has appeared in each of the past four World Cups for the Red Roses, starring in the final when England beat Canada to win the competition in preparation for this year's tournament continues with the Women's Six Nations. Coach John Mitchell's side begin their bid for a seventh consecutive title against Italy in York on Sunday, with Scarratt starting at outside asked about her hopes for World Cup selection, Loughborough Lightning's Scarratt told BBC Sport: "I'm going to try my best. We've got so many good players throughout the squad and ultimately Mitch will make whatever decision he thinks is best."Hopefully I'm still showing I've got something there to offer; whether it's a starting shirt, being on the bench or being part of the squad."I'm definitely keen on being a part of that big year ahead." Scarratt will win her 117th cap against Italy - her tally of appearances greater than any other member of England's 37-woman squad for the Six was out of action for 13 months before returning in February 2024 following neck surgery, and came off the bench in both England's Six Nations Grand Slam decider against France and the win over Canada in October which secured a second consecutive WXV1 said before last year's Six Nations that he was considering using Scarratt at inside centre and she wore 12 in last year's corresponding fixture against Italy in an England line-up which contains two players making their first international starts and two uncapped players among the replacements, Scarratt will begin at 13 on Sunday. "That [whether she plays inside or outside centre] is probably more of a conversation for Mitch. Certainly in this Six Nations, it's definitely a focus on 13," Scarratt said."Jade Shekells has come in to fill a bit of that 12 gap behind Tatyana [Heard], and Holly [Aitchison] is playing there this weekend."There are times where I will fit into that, whether it's in training or in games. We're blessed with a few people that can float into different positions."Playing 13, trying to compete for a shirt with Megan Jones is tough at the moment, so if there's another opportunity to potentially play, I'll definitely take it. But at the moment, the focus is definitely on 13."Asked if she feels more comfortable playing at outside centre, she added: "I think so, just looking at the numbers and the amount of times I've played there compared to everywhere else."I was getting into a little groove at 12 and I don't mind it. The way England play and bits at Loughborough where it's a bit more interchangeable, they kind of blend into one a little bit."I do prefer perhaps being one out, especially defensively - I think there are more problems to be solved out a channel wider. But I just would want to be on the field, to be honest."
BBC News
20-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Shekells on England bench for Six Nations opener
Women's Six Nations: England v ItalyVenue: LNER Community Stadium, York Date: Sunday, 23 March Kick-off: 15:00 GMTCoverage: Watch on BBC Two, iPlayer, BBC Sport website & app; listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra GB Sevens player Jade Shekells could make her XV-a-side international debut on Sunday after being named on the bench for England's Women's Six Nations opener against Italy in Shekells, 28, is joined among the replacements by another of the four uncapped players in John Mitchell's 37-woman squad - Exeter Chiefs scrum-half Flo Robinson, was part of the GB squad at last year's Olympics in Paris and, if brought on, is set to appear in the Venner, fresh from helping Gloucester-Hartpury win a third successive Premiership Women's Rugby title last weekend, wins her second cap on the wing and, like Loughborough Lightning lock Lilli Ives Campion, will be making her first international Rowland, who has frequently operated in the centres in her recent appearances for England, will begin at Aldcroft captains the side and starts in the back row alongside Marlie Packer, who she replaced as skipper in January. England team to face Italy: Sing; Venner, Scarratt, Aitchison, MacDonald; Rowland, L Packer; Clifford, Cokayne, Muir, Galligan, Ives Campion, Aldcroft (capt), M Packer, Campbell, Botterman, Bern, Ward, Kabeya, Robinson, Shekells, Kildunne. While winning a seventh consecutive Women's Six Nations title is high on England's agenda, the competition will also give opportunities for players to stake their claims for spots in Mitchell's squad at a home Rugby World Cup starting in Claudia MacDonald, who has recovered from a second serious neck injury during the past 12 months, will start on the wing for her first England appearance since the WXV tournament in Sing of Gloucester-Hartpury, the PWR's leading points-scorer in 2024-25, will start at full-back, with World Rugby's Women's Player of the Year Ellie Kildunne named on the will start as strong favourites against Italy, who finished fifth in the 2024 tournament, winning one of their five year's Six Nations meeting between the two nations ended in a 48-0 victory for England in Parma, despite the Red Roses having Sarah Beckett sent off in the first half.
BBC News
07-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Itoje rejects Carling criticism of England coaches
Men's Six Nations: England v ItalyVenue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham Date: Sunday, 9 March Kick-off: 15:00 GMTCoverage: Listen to match commentary on BBC Sport website and app; follow live text commentary online; watch on ITV1 England captain Maro Itoje has rejected Will Carling's suggestion that Steve Borthwick's inexperienced coaching set-up is preventing the side from reaching its potential. Speaking to BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday, former skipper Carling questioned the "calibre" of the coaching team and whether it was the "best we can put out there".England have been criticised for their style of play during the Six Nations despite recovering from an opening round defeat by Ireland with consecutive one-point victories over France and Scotland at home. Lock Itoje, who was appointed captain by head coach Borthwick before this year's tournament, said he disagreed with Carling's sentiment."With all due respect to Will, I don't necessarily agree or accept that characterisation of our coaching staff," the 30-year-old told BBC Sport. "I have been unbelievably impressed with how they have gone about their business and coached us. "The players work really hard but the coaches, trust me, they work extremely hard. "My experience of them has been nothing but positive. I think most people can see an improvement in the team and a large part of that is down to the work the coaches have done and the positions they are putting us in. I think we are tracking in the right direction."Borthwick is leading an international team for the first time, having previously held coaching roles with England and Japan before guiding Leicester Tigers to the Premiership title in coach Richard Wigglesworth and Kevin Sinfield, who began as defensive lead before moving into a skills role, joined Borthwick from the Tigers coach Joe El-Abd is also working in his first international job, combining the role alongside his responsibilities with second-tier French side Oyonnax until the end of the season, while 33-year-old scrum coach Tom Harrison is younger than hooker Jamie George, who will win his 100th cap against Italy on whether it was easy to ignore noise from outside England's camp, Itoje said: "It's a requirement. "We play a public sport, in front of 80,000 at Allianz Stadium and millions at home every time we pull on an England jersey. "We want people to be engaged with rugby and have an opinion because if they don't, it probably means they don't care but as players, what we need to do is focus on what we deem important. That is the skill of anybody who lives a relatively public life. "People will have an opinion on what you do but what really matters is the opinion you have and the opinion of those in your circles."Itoje's backing of the coaching staff was echoed by utility back Elliot Daly, who has been rewarded for his impressive form off the bench with a starting berth at full-back against the to Carling's comments, Daly told BBC Sport: "I don't think that is true."The coaches have been around this environment for a while, especially Wiggy, Steve and Kev. As a group, they work really well together."The relationship the players have with the coaching staff is a really good one." 'We are aspiring to reach an 80-minute performance' Itoje does accept, however, that England did not perform to their capabilities last time out, despite beating Scotland to regain the Calcutta Cup for the first time in four hosts were outscored by three tries to one at Allianz Stadium and were grateful for Finn Russell missing a late conversion attempt that would have secured victory for remain in contention to win the title as they return to their home on Sunday to face an Italy side who have never beaten them and Itoje says his players are targeting a complete performance."We didn't perform as well as we wanted to in all areas but some of what we did was brilliant," added Itoje."That was a fixture we hadn't been successful in for a number of years so to get the Calcutta Cup back at Twickenham is a good achievement. "Our discipline was OK but we would like to tidy it up, and we would like to get our attack a bit sharper. In order to do that we need to win more territory." Asked what progress would look like against Italy, Itoje added: "Every time you step on the field you are aspiring to reach an 80-minute performance. Not many teams do it because it is so difficult. "There are times when the opposition is on top and it's about how you wrestle back control. We want to take a step forward in all the areas we have spoken about, whether it's set-piece, kicking game, defence or attack."
BBC News
31-01-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
How Scotland went from title contenders to worried about Italy
Six Nations: Scotland v ItalyVenue: Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh Date: Saturday, 1 February Kick-off: 14:15 GMTCoverage: Watch live on BBC One, listen on Radio 5 live, Radio Scotland & BBC Sounds and follow live on the BBC Sport website and app. You'd think that after 25 years of messing with the emotions of Scottish rugby fans - all the false dawns, all the misplaced hope - the Gods of the Six Nations would be bored with them by no, A few weeks ago, Gregor Townsend beamed brightly as he spoke about his largely injury-free squad. It was a time of wholesale optimism. Old sceptics, hard-bitten by a quarter of a century of nothingness, were beginning to turn. Maybe, just maybe, this was Scotland's the week was done, Sione Tuipulotu was out of the tournament. The captain, the powerhouse, the playmaker, one of the great personalities of the team - Scott Cummings got injured and Scotland's beast factor was reduced. If you want to contend in the Six Nations then you better bring as many heavies as you can find. Cummings was out and so was his understudy, Max Williamson, the young brute who showed up so wonderfully against the mighty Boks in the Gods haven't let up. Josh Bayliss would almost certainly have been in the squad against Italy, but Townsend lost him to injury last Richardson, who'd have been on the bench as back-up hooker, is on the casualty list. Dave Cherry is now first-choice. The last time Cherry, a good set-piece man but a shock inclusion, made any kind of noise with Scotland was when he fell down the stairs in the team hotel in Nice during the World Cup. He's not been seen since in the international Gray is in from the start by necessity. Gray hasn't played a Test match in two years, has only played three times since late October and hasn't played at all since that hope from before? Hmm. Let's call it cautious optimism at best. Townsend still has an excellent team with a backline laden with world class, but it's not as good as it might have been - and what-might-have-been isn't cutting it anymore with Scotland. Injuries or no injuries. If this was a rock band that Townsend was running instead of a rugby team then this would be the Now Or Never tour. It's his eighth Six Nations and, by his own admission, something needs to happen and are on the sweet spot in terms of age profile, caps won and experiences learned. It's a tad early to say now or never, but the broader point is correct. They don't have start with Italy, a must-win against a team that beat them in Rome last time and which is largely unchanged since then. In the Six Nations a year ago, Italy beat Scotland and Wales, drew with France in Paris (France played with 14 for half the game and Italy hit the post from a penalty to win it in the last play) and only lost to England by three don't lie, but they mislead. In 2023, in Murrayfield, Scotland won 26-14 with Blair Kinghorn scoring a hat-trick. The reality of that game was that with 79 minutes played the gap was only four in Scotland's favour and Italy were banging on their try-line to wipe it were under the posts and Murrayfield was on its feet, roaring in encouragement and fear. Scotland survived, broke away and scored down the other end. The 12-point gap didn't reflect their brush with the dark side. The way we view Italy has changed - or ought to have changed. Some, perhaps subconsciously, still see them as a nailed-on win with only the margin up for discussion. That was the case for a long time, but not have class and power all over their team, they have clever creators, deadly finishers with dynamism and belligerence. Scotland have lost more Six Nations games to Italy (eight) than all the other nations combined, so the warning signs are there, flashing blue. Would it be a massive surprise if Italy won? Not in the minds of anybody who's been paying attention to has injuries, but he's not wallowing. He has absolute faith in Stafford McDowall filling in for Tuipulotu and bringing some of his ball-carrying and defensive solidity to the is not Tuipulotu but he's still a seriously accomplished footballer, a leader, a big presence who will relish a run in the team. Save for Cherry and the undercooked, but freakish unit, Gray, then this is an impressive Scotland team with an impactful they'll most likely need it. A recurring theme throughout last season's championship was Scotland's fast starts and slow finishes, the opening day hair-raiser against Wales being the classic illustration of points scored across the four quarters of games they went from first, to third, to joint fifth to sixth in the final quarter. For points conceded they were again at their weakest in the final has some terrific firepower on the bench. George Horne, Tom Jordan and Kyle Rowe can create things out of nothing. Gregor Brown, with his physicality and skill-set, could be a real breakout star. Jack Dempsey hasn't played a whole pile of rugby but his carrying and his intensity might be just the ticket to get Scotland over the could be nervous, it could be positively terrifying, but it's the Six Nations and it's back and it's a hell of a time to be alive.
