Women's Six Nations: Zoe Aldcroft to captain England for Scotland clash as Marlie Packer drops to bench

John Mitchell has named a new captain and made two changes for England’s Women’s Six Nations clash away to Scotland as the Red Roses look to make it three wins from three.

Regular skipper Marlie Packer has been named on the bench, meaning Zoe Aldcroft will lead the side out at the Hive Stadium on Saturday.

Aldcroft, fresh from earning her 50th cap in the victory over Wales last time out, will start at blind-side flanker as part of a reshuffled forward pack.

Abbie Ward returns to the starting XV in the second row, with Lark Atkin-Davies the other player to miss out.

Hooker Amy Cokayne is set for her first start in a year in place of Atkin-Davies after recovering from a calf injury.

The backline is unchanged from the 46-10 win at home to Wales, with Emily Scarratt still not back to full fitness after starting against Italy in what was her first game since undergoing neck surgery.

Mitchell said Scarratt is “progressing nicely” but that she isn’t “100% fit” and ready to return to action.

England remain on course for a sixth Six Nations crown in a row and for a successful defence of the Grand Slam they won last year, after beating Italy 48-0 and following that up by seeing off Wales.

The Red Roses top the table by a point from France ahead of the trip to Edinburgh but face an ever-improving Scotland side.

Similarly to their male counterparts, the Scots began the campaign with a first win on Welsh soil in 20 years before they suffered a narrow defeat against France.

Starting XV: Kildunne, Dow, Jones, Heard, Breach, Aitchison, Hunt, Botterman, Cokayne, Muir, Galligan, Ward, Aldcroft (c), Kabeya, Matthews.

Replacements: Powell, Carson, Clifford, Feaunati, M Packer, L Packer, Harrison, Gregson.

- - -

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing, NBA and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.