According to Sadia Kabeya, England is poised to demonstrate its squad depth as it faces Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday, despite being depleted by injuries and pregnancies. The team is missing 10 players, including the double World Cup winner Alex Matthews, who is out due to a shoulder issue.
This has significantly impacted the second row, where 22-year-old Lilli Ives Campion, with just six caps, is now the senior lock, forming a partnership with Abi Burton, who has been converted from the back row. Kabeya views this crisis as an opportunity for England to showcase its playing resources' strength, building on their 33-12 victory over Ireland in the championship's opening round. "This team is known for its strength in depth, and now we have a great chance to prove it," Kabeya said. The flanker acknowledged the unfortunate timing of the injuries and the absence of key leaders but expressed confidence in the players stepping in, citing their strong performance in the Premiership Women's Rugby and successful training sessions.
"We're still the Red Roses, just with some different names. We always emphasize being one team with depth, and now we can fully demonstrate that," Kabeya noted. The match is expected to draw a record crowd of over 25,000, the highest attendance for a standalone women's sporting event in Scotland, as Rachel Malcolm's team attempts to pull off an upset.
Kabeya, who has never played at Murrayfield, expressed excitement about the opportunity, reflecting on how far the women's game has come in recent years and the significance of this match for the Scottish team. "It will be an emotional day and game, one that will make history, and I'm thrilled to be part of it," Kabeya said.