Before the start of this year’s Women’s Six Nations, the big question on everyone’s mind was whether any side could finally crack England’s iron grip on international rugby. Two rounds into the tournament, the Red Roses have shown that they are still very much in control, delivering performances that leave little doubt about their dominance.
What makes this continuity even more impressive is the backdrop of a massive transition period for England’s squad – a wave of injuries and a number of pregnancies has forced the team into a reshuffle not seen in a decade. Yet the depth of talent available to the Red Roses seems almost limitless, allowing them to field competitive line‑ups despite the absences. The first test of this new era came in the opening match against Ireland.
With World Cup‑winning captain Zoe Stratford (formerly Aldcroft) among a long list of players unavailable, England looked a little rusty at the start. Nevertheless, the side possessed enough quality on the bench to see the game through and secure a win, proving that the team’s foundations are solid even when key figures are missing. Round two saw England travel to Murrayfield for a clash with Scotland. Again, ten players were absent, but the squad responded by producing a dazzling display of attacking rugby, crossing the try line twelve times and posting a record‑breaking 84‑7 victory.
The win also marked a historic 35th consecutive Test triumph for the Red Roses, underscoring the sustained excellence that has become synonymous with English women’s rugby. Looking ahead to the third round, England will meet Wales at Ashton Gate in Bristol. In the lead‑up, two very different voices from the squad shared their perspectives with the media: seasoned prop Sarah Bern, a 28‑year‑old World Cup winner with 81 caps, and 19‑year‑old back‑rower Demelza Short, who earned her first senior cap just a week earlier in Edinburgh.
Bern described the current squad composition as a "real mix," noting that several players are on maternity leave – Zoe Stratford, Abbie Ward, Rosie Galligan and Lark Atkin‑Davies – which has opened doors for younger talent like Demelza. Injuries to veterans such as Hannah Botterman, Morwenna Talling, Natasha Hunt, May Campbell, Tatyana Heard and Ales Matthews have also accelerated the integration of fresh faces. "We’ve got a lot of movement, but the message we give the players is simple: you have a licence to attack, to be yourself, to be brave and to show what you can do," Bern explained. Both Bern and Short emphasized that the standards within the Red Roses remain extraordinarily high, regardless of a player’s experience level.
"Whether you’re a youngster just breaking in or a seasoned veteran, you are expected to deliver at the highest level," Bern said. The team constantly asks itself whether it can still be proud of its performances, and the answer is a resounding yes – the focus is always on improvement. "Every week we ask: how can we develop our game?
How can we grow it? How can we push for the best possible attack and defence? It may sound impossible, but that relentless pursuit of excellence is in our DNA," she added. A recurring theme in the interviews was the notion that rugby itself is indifferent to past glories.
"Rugby doesn’t care what you did last week, or whether you won a World Cup. It only cares about how you show up on the day of the match," Bern said, highlighting the sport’s demand for consistency and preparation. The challenge for the coaching staff now includes helping newcomers like Demelza adapt quickly to the senior environment. The rapid turnover has forced England to deepen its talent pool even further, a task that has, so far, paid dividends.
Bern also spoke about the ambition that drives the squad. "We are ambitious and brave. Winning the World Cup was amazing, but we know there is always room to improve, especially in our attack. Injuries have actually sped up the development of other players, and everyone understands they have to step up.
It takes a lot of hard work off the pitch as well as on it," she said. She highlighted the importance of communication and detail: "Leaders make sure everyone knows their responsibilities. When you step onto the training pitch, you need to be aware of the game plan, otherwise it becomes very tough.
Every player supports each other, and that camaraderie fuels our progress." Creating an entertaining product for fans is also a priority. "If people see the same thing every week, it gets boring.
We want to bring excitement to the stadium, to show the world the skill, power and flair of our Red Roses. Women’s rugby offers a different, but equally thrilling, experience compared to the men’s game. Both have their own selling points, and we are proud to showcase that," Bern added. Demelza Short’s journey encapsulates the rapid rise of young talent within the squad.
In just twelve months she has moved from playing for England’s U18 side at the Six Nations festival at Wellington College, where matches lasted a full 70 minutes, to earning a place in the senior team alongside recent World Cup champions. "It still feels surreal. I’m not sure when I realised this could happen.
Last year I was playing U18s, then I got called up to U20 camps and thought maybe something could happen in the future, but not this season. Getting the call-up for the Red Roses so quickly and making my debut in this campaign has been a whirlwind," she reflected. Short admitted that the transition is still sinking in.
"It hasn’t fully sunk in yet, but each week it feels a little more normal, even though it’s still extraordinary. I never imagined I would be here so soon after playing U18s," she said. Overall, the Red Roses have turned what could have been a period of vulnerability into an opportunity to showcase the depth, resilience and forward‑thinking nature of English women’s rugby.
By embracing change, fostering a culture of relentless improvement, and delivering an exciting brand of rugby, England continues to set the benchmark for the sport globally. The upcoming clash with Wales promises to be another showcase of this philosophy in action, as both seasoned campaigners and fresh faces take the field together, united by a shared commitment to excellence and a belief that, in rugby, every match is a new chance to prove yourself.