Meg Jones Takes the Helm Leading the Red Roses' Quest for Six Nations Glory.

Jones to Lead Red Roses in Six Nations with Seven World Cup Winners Meg Jones will lead the England women’s rugby team, the Red Roses, as they embark on their Six Nations title defense. The team features seven players who were part of the victorious World Cup final against Canada last September. Historic Opener at Twickenham. The Red Roses are set to return to Twickenham Stadium this Saturday to face Ireland. This match is already making history, as 75,000 tickets have been sold, setting a new attendance record for the Championship. Leadership Changes and Team Composition Jones steps into the leadership role for the first time, taking over from former captain Zoe Aldcroft, who is currently expecting her first child. Jones will continue to play at outside centre. In the back three, Ellie Kildunne and Jess Breach will resume their positions. The forward pack will see the return of Amy Cokayne, Morwenna Talling, Sadia Kabeya, and Alex Matthews, who all played in the 33-13 victory over Canada. Hollie Aitchison and Lucy Packer will form the half-back partnership, with Natasha Hunt and Zoe Harrison providing backup from the bench. However, veteran forwards Hannah Botterman and Marlie Packer will not be part of the matchday squad. Instead, 19-year-old number eight Haineala Lutui is poised to make her debut as a replacement. Head Coach’s Perspective. Head coach John Mitchell expressed his excitement about returning to Allianz Stadium, noting the significance of the match being the first since the World Cup final. "We’ve all felt the lasting impact of 2025 and that’s reflected in the incredible ticket sales for Saturday’s match," Mitchell stated. He emphasized the importance of the occasion: The players relish and absolutely deserve the opportunity to perform in front of record crowds, but they also understand the responsibility that comes with that stage. We know success in this competition is never given – it has to be earned every time. The players are ready to express themselves fully. We cannot wait to get started.” As the Red Roses prepare for this landmark event, anticipation is building for what promises to be an unforgettable match at Twickenham.