Jones Set to Lead England's Red Roses in Six Nations Opener Against Ireland

England's women's rugby team, led by Meg Jones, is gearing up to face Ireland in the opening match of the Guinness Six Nations. The Red Roses will be defending their title, with seven players from the World Cup-winning squad taking part. Jones will captain the team for the first time, replacing Zoe Stratford, who is expecting her first child. The team features a mix of experienced players and new talent, with 19-year-old Haineala Lutui set to make her debut as a replacement. England head coach John Mitchell expressed his excitement about the team's return to Allianz Stadium, saying, 'We've all felt the lasting impact of 2025, and that's reflected in the incredible ticket sales for Saturday's match.' The match is expected to draw a record crowd of over 75,000 fans. Ireland, led by captain Erin King, will be looking to challenge England's dominance in the tournament. The Irish team features a strong lineup, including Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, who is set to reach the milestone of 50 Test caps.