England take on Scotland in the opening match of the 2021 Women’s Six Nations this afternoon.
The Red Roses are aiming to make it a hat-trick of Six Nations titles, having won the tournament in 2019 and 2020, but will have to negotiate a different format this year.
The six countries have been split into two pools of three teams, with England and Scotland meeting in the opening match of Pool A before the two nations face Italy in Rounds 2 and 3.
FOLLOW LIVE: England vs Scotland: Latest score and updates from Women’s Six Nations fixture today
The winner of Pool A will then face the winner of Pool B, containing France, Ireland and Wales, in a final on 24 April. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the first match of the tournament this afternoon.
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When is the match?
The game kicks off 3 pm GMT on Saturday, 3 April.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on the BBC Red Button and the BBC iPlayer, with coverage starting at 2:50 pm GMT.
Team news
England: 15. Sarah McKenna, 14. Lydia Thompson, 13. Emily Scarratt (c), 12. Lagi Tuima, 11. Jess Breach, 10. Helena Rowland, 9. Leanne Riley, 1. Vickii Cornborough, 2. Lark Davies, 3. Bryony Cleall, 4. Abbie Ward, 5. Cath O’Donnell, 6. Zoe Aldcroft, 7. Marlie Packer, 8. Poppy Cleall
Replacements: 16. Amy Cokayne, 17. Detysha Harper, 18. Shaunagh Brown, 19. Harriet Millar-Mills, 20. Vicky Fleetwood, 21. Claudia MacDonald, 22. Megan Jones, 23. Ellie Kildunne
Scotland: 15. Chloe Rollie, 14. Rachel Shankland, 13. Hannah Smith,12. Lisa Thomson, 11. Megan Gaffney, 10. Helen Nelson, 9. Mairi McDonald, 1. Leah Bartlett, 2. Lana Skeldon, 3. Christine Belisle, 4. Emma Wassell, 5. Louise McMillan, 6. Rachel Malcolm (c), 7. Rachel McLachlan, 8. Siobhan Cattigan
Replacements: 16. Molly Wright, 17. Panashe Muzambe, 18. Lisa Cockburn, 19. Evie Gallagher, 20. Jodie Rettie, 21. Jenny Maxwell, 22. Sarah Law, 23. Liz Musgrove
Prediction
England kick-off their Women’s Six Nations defence with a win against the Scots, who will narrow their margin of defeat from last year’s fixture at Castle Park.
