Women’s Six Nations: Jade Shekells makes England squad
England head coach John Mitchell included GB Sevens player Jade Shekells in his Women’s Six Nations team in Sunday’s opening match against Italy.
The 2024 Paris Olympian recently played for GB in the World Seven Series in February, and he has no restrictions in XVS Code.
The Shekells are one of four players who may make their debut in York, including Abi Burton of Ealing, Charlotte Fray of Leicester and Flo Robinson of Exeter.
The absence of 37 women’s teams is Harlequins Hooker Connie Powell and Bristol Wing Millie David.
New captain Zoe Aldcroft will lead the team for the first time, who helped Gloucester Hartpury win the Premier League Women’s Rugby (PWR) title Sunday for the third time in a row.
Shekells has impressed Gloucester-Hartpury’s few matches this season at the External Centre, but has already entered the UK sevens. It is understood that England regards her as 12.
After a great season, Wing Mia Venner was included and eventually excelled with club team Gloucester-Hartpury in the PWR final.
Venner is now participating in one of the most open options before the Rugby World Cup in August.
The wing races included the return of Exeter’s Claudia MacDonald, Jess Breanch injured, Abby Dow’s expected return from a hand injury and now Venner.
Harlequins Hooker Connie Powell will not be able to add her 19 hats as she surpassed her in the May Campbell Pecking Order in Saracens.
Despite Sarasens losing the PWR final, Campbell’s season at the club level was nearly impossible to leave the team.
She also proved her versatility and showed up a lot in the back row.
England is dominating the Women’s Six Nations Championship and intends to win a seventh straight title.
