The central narrative heading into this year’s Women’s Six Nations was whether any side could finally dent England’s iron grip on international rugby. After two rounds, the Red Roses have shown they are more than capable of maintaining their dominance, even as the squad navigates a wave of injuries and a number of players stepping away for pregnancy—situations not seen in the team for a full decade.
The depth of talent at England’s disposal appears virtually limitless. Captain Zoe Stratford (formerly Aldcroft), a World Cup winner, missed the opening match against Ireland, and a long list of other regulars were also unavailable.
Despite the rust that crept in during the first game, England still managed to pull through, relying on the quality of the players waiting in the wings. In the second round, the side travelled to Murrayfield without ten first‑team members yet still produced a staggering display, crossing the try line twelve times in a 84‑7 rout of Scotland.
That victory marked a record 35th consecutive Test win for the Red Roses. Looking ahead to the third fixture, England will meet Wales at Ashton Gate in Bristol. Ahead of that clash, two very different voices from the squad shared their thoughts with the media: seasoned prop Sarah Bern, 28, who has already earned 81 caps, and 19‑year‑old back‑rower Demelza Short, who earned her first Test cap in Edinburgh just the weekend before.
Bern explained that the squad has experienced a "real mix" of changes. "We have a number of pregnancies in the group, which has opened doors for younger players like Demelza and others coming through the system. On top of that we have had a few injuries, so the environment has been very fluid," she said.
"But the message we give the players is simple: you have the licence to attack, to be brave, to express yourself and to show what you can do. That's how we approach every game." The article also highlighted the broader context of the Six Nations, noting upcoming fixtures, a feature on Red Roses star Kildunne discussing body‑dysmorphia, and the appointment of Jones as England captain. It reminded readers to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for updates.
Bern continued, emphasizing that the standards within the team remain sky‑high regardless of experience level. "Whether you are a youngster just breaking through or a veteran who has been around the block a few times, the expectations are the same." She listed the players currently out due to pregnancy—Zoe Stratford, Abbie Ward, Rosie Galligan and Lark Atkin‑Davies—and those sidelined by injury—Hannah Botterman, Morwenna Talling, Natasha Hunt, May Campbell, Tatyana Heard and Ales Matthews. When asked if continual success ever becomes boring, Bern replied that the team never feels complacent.
"We are always looking for a performance we can be truly proud of. Every week we ask ourselves how we can develop our game, how we can grow the sport and how we can push for the best possible attack and defence. It may sound impossible, but that relentless drive is in the Red Roses' DNA." She summed up the team ethos with a powerful statement: "Rugby doesn't care what you did last week.
It doesn't care if you won a World Cup. What matters is how you show up on the day." Bern also spoke about the challenge of integrating new talent like Short. "Part of the job is helping young players get used to the environment quickly so they can contribute as soon as possible." The sheer volume of unavailable players has forced England to dig even deeper, and the strategy has paid off handsomely so far.
Bern described the side as ambitious and courageous, acknowledging that even after a World Cup triumph there is always room for improvement. "We recognize we won a World Cup and that was fantastic, but we could still have done better in attack.
This is our chance to make those improvements," she said. Injuries, while unfortunate, have accelerated the development of younger squad members. "Everyone understands they have to step up.
It takes a lot of hard work off the pitch as well as on it," Bern added. She highlighted the importance of communication and preparation: "Leaders make sure everyone knows the details because when you step onto the training pitch you need to be aware of the plan, otherwise it becomes very difficult. Every player supports each other." Bern believes that variety and excitement are key to keeping fans engaged.
"If people see the same thing every week it gets stale, so we want to be entertaining and draw crowds to the stadium. We want to showcase the incredible skills of all our Red Roses—carrying, tackling, playing an exciting brand of rugby—and present that to the world." She concluded with a broader reflection on women's rugby: "We must continue to push, display our personalities and prove that women's rugby is a spectacular sport to watch. It may differ from the men's game, but both are equally entertaining and have their own unique selling points." The article then shifted focus to Demelza Short, who within a single year has progressed from playing for England's U18 side at the Six Nations festival at Wellington College to earning a full senior cap alongside recent World Cup winners.
Short described the rapid ascent as surreal. "I still can't fully grasp what's happened. It feels like a whirlwind. It hasn't really sunk in yet, but each week it feels a little more normal—though still not normal at all," she said.
She reflected on her own expectations, noting that just a year ago she was playing U18 matches, then attended U20 camps, and never imagined she would be called up to the senior squad so quickly. "When I got the call to join the Red Roses, I thought maybe I could debut this campaign, and then it actually happened. It's pretty crazy," she admitted. Overall, the piece paints a picture of a team that, despite significant personnel turnover, continues to dominate through depth, ambition, and a culture that rewards relentless improvement over past laurels.
The Red Roses are determined to keep pushing boundaries, developing talent, and delivering an exciting brand of rugby that captivates fans worldwide.