Women’s 6 Nations: Team News

We bring you all your team news ahead of the opening round of the womens rugby 6 Nations this weekend. Ireland have named a squad which includes six uncapped players for the opening game of the tournament against Wales. The Welsh call on just one debutant in their side. Scotland are without captain Susie Brown in the opening game and Tracy Balmer takes over in their game against England. Katy McLean skippers a youthful England side.

IRELAND V WALESAshbourne RFC, Friday, February 5th, 19:30

Ireland: Head coach Philip Doyle has named a side which includes two new caps in the starting side and four uncapped players on the bench. Ashleigh Baxter will earn her first cap at fullback with Alison Miller and Niamh Kavangh completing the back three. Irelands most capped player Lynne Cantwell will start in the unfamiliar spot of out-half and will form a new half back pairing with Amy Davis while Grace Davitt returns to the team after missing out last season and forms the centre partnership with Niamh Briggs. Up front Fiona Coghlan will again captain the side and she is joined in the front row by Gillian Bourke and Ailis Egan. Sophie Spence is the other new cap in the second row and she starts alongside the now established Marie Louise Reilly. Ireland have left a spot empty on the bench as they await a fitness update on centre Shannon Houston.

Ireland Womens Team:Ashleigh Baxter (Belfast Harlequins - Ulster)*,. Niamh Kavanagh (UL Bohemians - Munster), Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians - Munster), Grace Davitt (Cooke - Ulster), Alison Miller (Portlaoise/Highfield - Connacht), Lynne Cantwell (Exile), Amy Davis (Blackrock - Leinster), Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians - Leinster) Captain, Gillian Bourke (UL Bohemians - Munster), Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere - Leinster), Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere - Leinster), Sophie Spence (Exile)*, Laura Guest (Highfield - Munster), Claire Molloy (Bristol - Exile), Joy Neville (UL Bohemians - Munster)Replacements:Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary's - Leinster)*, Ruth O'Reilly (Galwegians - Connacht)*, Siobhan Fleming (Tralee - Munster)*, Heather O'Brien (Highfield - Munster), Larissa Muldoon (Exile/UWIC - Ulster) Nikki Caughey (Belfast Harlequins - Ulster)*, A.N. Other*Denotes Uncapped Player

WalesWales Women's head coach Rhys Edwards has named Neath Athletic speedster Rosie Fletcher as the only uncapped player in his side to take on Ireland. The only other newcomer to the Welsh side is replacement prop Megan York who has made rapid strides this season with Blaenau Gwent, Cross Keys and the Dragons. Rachel Taylor will lead the side from the side of the scrum after taking over the captaincy duties from the unavailable Catrin Edwards. Highly talented and experienced fly-half Naomi Thomas returns to the international fold after taking a season out last year and her experience in a key position will be crucial.

Wales Women's Team:1. Caryl Thomas, 2. Rhian Bowden, 3. Jenny Davies, 4. Vicky Owens, 5. Shona Powell Hughes, 6. Sioned Harries, 7. Rachel Taylor (Capt), 8. Jamie Kift, 9. Laura Prosser, 10. Naomi Thomas, 11. Rosie Fletcher, 12. Adi Taviner, 13. Philippa Tuttiett, 14. Charlie Murray. 15. Mared EvanReplacements: 16. Lowri Harries, 17. Megan York, 18. Sian Williams. 19. Clare Flowers, 20. Amy Day, 21. Rebecca De Filippo, 22. Caryl James

SCOTLAND V ENGLAND,Sunday 5 February at Lasswade RFC, kick-off 5pm

Scotland:Scrum half Louise Dalgliesh (RHC Cougars) will win her 50th cap while at the other end of the scale winger Sarah Dixon - who scored a debut try against Holland Women in November 2011 - wins her second in the opening game against England. The team will be captained on Sunday by tight-head prop Tracy Balmer, who led Scotland to the victory in Amsterdam. Regular skipper Susie Brown is out with a knock. Coach Karen Findlay said: "I'm really excited about playing England then France at home - they're both massive challenges - and I'm particularly looking forward to kicking off the tournament against England. Every game is going to be a challenge and I'd like to think the hard work we've put in - in terms of coaching and player effort - since the last Six Nations will have paid off. We did a lot of soul-searching and have worked hard to improve our core skills and basic preparation."

Scotland Women's Team:Stephanie Johnston (RHC Cougars), Katy Green (Murrayfield Wanderers), Laura Steven (Murrayfield Wanderers), Lisa Martin (Murrayfield Wanderers), Sarah Dixon (Stirling County), Tanya Griffith (RHC Cougars), Louise Dalgliesh (RHC Cougars), Heather Lockhart (Hillhead/Jordanhill), Sarah Quick (Murrayfield Wanderers), Tracy Balmer (Worcester) (captain), Anna Swan (RHC Cougars), Jemma Forsyth (Hillhead/Jordanhill), Charlotte Veale (Wasps), Ruth Slaven (Murrayfield Wanderers), Lindsay Wheeler (Richmond)Substitutes:16 Lindsey Smith (Darlington Mowden Park), 17 Suzanne McKerlie-Hex (Murrayfield Wanderers), 18 Beth Dickens (Murrayfield Wanderers), 19 Kath Muir (RAF), 20 Tess Forsberg (Richmond), 21 Lisa Ritchie (Carlisle), 22 Caroline Collie (OA Saints)

England:The current title-holders are going for a record breaking seventh consecutive title, and include the uncapped lock Emily Braund on the bench alongside a number of players who hold just a handful of caps. However despite their youth, Englands starting line-up is still vastly experienced.Fly-half and captain Katy McLean will lead the side on 50 caps and outside her in the backs, players like Emily Scarratt, Racahel Burford (pictured) and Kat Merchant all bring a vast amount of international experience to the table. Up front Sophie Hemming and Claire Purdy anchor the scrum in the prop positions while Sarah Hunter leads the back at number 8. Hannah Gallagher wins just her third cap on one flank while Marlie Packer makes her 9th appearance at senior levelThere is no place yet for Maggie Alphonsi who will certainly return later in the tournament. England will go to Scotland as firm favourites

England Women's Team:Kay Wilson (Bristol), Katherine Merchant (Worcester), Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), Rachael Burford (Richmond), Michaela Staniford (Wasps), Katy McLean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) (C), Natasha Hunt (Lichfield), Claire Purdy(Wasps), Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield), Sophie Hemming (Bristol), Rowena Burnfield (Richmond), Harriet Millar-Mill (Lichfield), Hannah Gallagher (Saracens), Marlie Packer (Bristol), Sarah Hunter (Lichfield) (VC)Replacements: Amy Turner (Richmond), Laura Keates (Worcester), Emily Braund (Lichfield), Isabelle Noel-Smith (Bristol), Georgina Rozario (Lichfield), Ceri Large (Worcester), Georgina Roberts (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)