England's women's rugby team, the Red Roses, is gearing up for their Guinness Women's Six Nations match against Scotland, despite a lengthy list of absent players. Coach John Mitchell has introduced five new players to the starting lineup, including 19-year-old Demelza Short, who will make her debut as a blindside flanker. The team is adapting to the loss of key players due to injuries, with Ellie Kildunne shifting to the left wing and Maddie Feaunati moving to No 8.
The Red Roses are focusing on building their squad depth and creating opportunities for younger players, with an eye on the next World Cup in 2029. The team's defence coach, Sarah Hunter, views the current challenges as a chance to accelerate the development of upcoming players. The starting XV includes Emma Sing, Jess Breach, Megan Jones, Helena Rowland, Ellie Kildunne, Zoe Harrison, and Lucy Packer, among others.