Before the start of the Women's Six Nations, many wondered if anyone could finally dent England's iron grip on international rugby. Two matches in, the Red Roses have shown they are more than capable of keeping the pressure on, despite a wave of injuries and a number of players stepping away for pregnancy – a level of transition not seen in a decade. The depth of talent in the England camp seems almost limitless, allowing the side to maintain its high standards. World Cup‑winning captain Zoe Stratford (formerly Aldcroft) was among a long list of absentees, yet England still managed a solid performance in their opening fixture against Ireland.
The side looked a little rusty at the beginning of the game, but the quality on the bench meant they could quickly recover and secure the win. The following weekend, the champions travelled to Murrayfield for their second match, again missing ten players.
Even so, they powered through, scoring an astonishing twelve tries in a 84‑7 rout of Scotland, which also marked their 35th consecutive test victory. The third round sees England take on Wales at Ashton Gate in Bristol. Ahead of that clash, two very different players shared their thoughts with the media: 28‑year‑old prop Sarah Bern, a veteran with 81 caps and a World Cup title, and 19‑year‑old back‑rower Demelza Short, who earned her first test cap just a week earlier in Edinburgh.
"We've had a real mix around the squad," Bern explained. "There are several pregnancies in the team, which has opened doors for younger players like Demelza and other emerging talent.
On top of that, we’ve dealt with a few injuries, so the situation has been constantly evolving." She continued, "But the core message is simple: we give the players the licence to attack, to be themselves, to be brave, and to showcase what they can do. That's the way we approach every game." The conversation shifted to the high standards that the Red Roses set for themselves, regardless of experience. "Whether you're a youngster just breaking through or a seasoned veteran, the expectations are incredibly high," Bern said. She listed the players currently out with 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 constant success ever becomes boring, Bern answered honestly, "We’re rarely satisfied with any performance. Every week we ask ourselves how we can improve our game, how we can grow the sport, and how we can raise the bar for attack and defence. It may sound impossible, but pushing those boundaries is in the Red Roses' DNA." She summed up the team's philosophy with a memorable line: "Rugby doesn't care what you did last week.
It doesn't matter if you won a World Cup; what matters is how you show up on the day of the match." Developing younger talent is also a priority. Bern noted that players like Demelza need to adapt quickly to the senior environment, and the coaching staff are working hard to accelerate that learning curve. The sheer volume of unavailable players has forced England to deepen its talent pool even further, and so far the strategy has paid off.
Bern described the squad as "ambitious and brave," acknowledging that while a World Cup victory was a massive achievement, there is always room for improvement, especially in the attacking department. Injuries have inadvertently accelerated the progression of younger players, creating opportunities for them to step up. Off the pitch, the team emphasizes communication and detail. "Leaders make sure everyone knows their responsibilities.
When you step onto the training pitch, you need to be aware of the plan, otherwise it becomes very tough," Bern said. She praised the collaborative spirit within the squad, noting that every player helps the others improve. Creating an entertaining product for fans is also a key goal. "If spectators see the same thing week after week, it gets stale.
We want to be exciting, to fill stadiums, and to show the world the skill, power, and flair of women's rugby," she added. While acknowledging that the women's game has its own unique selling points, Bern insisted that both the men's and women's versions of rugby are equally captivating.
Demelza Short’s rapid rise illustrates the pathway that England has built. Within twelve months she moved from playing for the England U18 side at the Six Nations festival at Wellington College to earning a full senior cap alongside World Cup winners. She described the experience as surreal: "I still can’t fully believe what’s happened.
It feels like a whirlwind. It hasn’t fully sunk in, but each week it becomes a little more normal, though still extraordinary." Short reflected on her development, "Last year I was still playing U18s. When I got called up to the U20 camps I thought maybe I could progress, but I never imagined I’d be in the senior squad this season.
Getting the call-up for the Red Roses so quickly and then making my debut in this campaign has been crazy." Overall, the England women’s team demonstrates how a combination of depth, adaptability, and a relentless desire to improve can keep a dominant side at the top, even when faced with significant personnel changes. Their message to opponents and fans alike is clear: success is never guaranteed, and every match is an opportunity to prove yourself anew. The Red Roses continue to embody that ethos as they prepare for the next challenge against Wales, aiming to add another win to their impressive streak while showcasing the vibrant future of women’s rugby.