Women’s Six Nations: England’s frontline players return for France clash

Burton, who was switched to number eight after being drafted by Parma Fevanatti, shared the Exeter star in the back row in an open forward line with Cabea, who won man of the match in September’s World Cup final.

In the year Liz Crack, who won her latest title in 2023 and returned to her rugby career as a dentist, was named on the bench after Saracens team-mate Kelsey Clifford picked up a leg injury.

England have won their last 17 meetings with France in all competitions but were pushed to within one point of last year’s Six Nations final with a 43-42 win.

A new-look back line has found its footing and progressed into the tournament, France will be entertained by what is expected to be a record-breaking crowd at the 42,000-capacity Stade Atlantic in France’s women’s six-match tie.

England: Kildune; Breach, Jones (c), Rowland, Moloney-Macdonald; Harrison, L. Packer; Carson, Cockayne, Burn, Ives Campion, Burns, Burton, Cabea, Feunati.

Substitutions: Powell, Crack, Muir, Short, M Packer, Robinson, Aitchison, Sing.