GB Sevens player Jade Shekells could make her XV-a-side international debut on Sunday after being named on the bench for England’s Women’s Six Nations opener against Italy in York.
Gloucester-Hartpury’s Shekells, 28, is joined among the replacements by another of the four uncapped players in John Mitchell’s 37-woman squad – Exeter Chiefs scrum-half Flo Robinson, 23.
Shekells was part of the GB squad at last year’s Olympics in Paris and, if brought on, is set to appear in the centres.
Mia Venner, fresh from helping Gloucester-Hartpury win a third successive Premiership Women’s Rugby title last weekend, wins her second cap on the wing and, like Loughborough Lightning lock Lilli Ives Campion, will be making her first international start.
Helena Rowland, who has frequently operated in the centres in her recent appearances for England, will begin at fly-half.
Zoe Aldcroft captains the side and starts in the back row alongside Marlie Packer, who she replaced as skipper in January.
