Heading into the Women's Six Nations, the question on everyone's mind was whether any team could challenge England's dominance in world rugby. Two games in, England's Red Roses have shown no signs of weakness, despite navigating a period of significant transition due to injuries and pregnancies.
Led by World Cup-winning captain Zoe Stratford, who is currently absent, the team has demonstrated remarkable strength in depth. In their first match against Ireland, England were somewhat rusty but still managed to overcome the challenge.
In their second match against Scotland, they achieved a record 84-7 victory, marking their 35th consecutive Test win. As England prepares to face Wales in their next match, players like 28-year-old World Cup-winning prop Sarah Bern and 19-year-old back-row Demelza Short, who made her Test debut last weekend, shared their insights with the media. Bern emphasized the team's approach to change, saying, 'We've had a real mix around.
We've obviously got some amazing pregnancies in the squad, so that's opened up doors for the likes of Demelza and younger people coming through.' She also highlighted the team's high standards and constant pursuit of improvement, stating, 'No matter if you're a youngster coming through or you've been around the block a few times as a Red Rose, you have incredibly high standards.' The team's ability to adapt and push boundaries is reflected in their DNA, with Bern noting, 'The messaging from all of us is that rugby doesn't care what you did last week. It doesn't care if you won a World Cup. It's how you show up on the day.' For Demelza Short, her journey from playing for England's U18 side to becoming a full-fledged Red Rose has been nothing short of remarkable.
In just 12 months, she has gone from playing 70-minute matches at the Six Nations festival to lining up alongside recent World Cup winners. Short expressed her astonishment at the rapid turn of events, saying, 'I don't think I'll ever actually really take in what's happened. I don't think I think it's real yet.
It's crazy. It's been a whirlwind for me.' As England continues to push the boundaries of women's rugby, their ambition, bravery, and commitment to showcasing an exciting style of play are sure to captivate audiences and inspire a new generation of players.