England spoil Scotland’s party to take top spot in Women’s Six Nations

England spoil Scotland’s party to take top spot in Women’s Six Nations Last updated 18 April 2026 3:53pm BST Save Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Add us as preferred source Add us as preferred source Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Marlie Packer is mobbed by team-mates after scoring England’s ninth try of the match Credit: Ewan Bootman/PA Kieran Crichard live updates. Charles Richardson Rugby Reporter, at Murrayfield Last updated 18 April 2026 3:53pm BST Save Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Add us as preferred source Add us as preferred source Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Scotland Women 7 England Women 84 A record-breaking party for Scottish sport, and England spoilt it. On the day of the largest standalone crowd for a women’s sporting fixture north of the border, beating the near-19,000 who witnessed Scotland defeat Jamaica at Hampden Park in 2019, England’s march towards an eighth successive Six Nations title continued with aplomb, as John Mitchell’s world champions delivered a 12-try clinic at Murrayfield. England were depleted but one might not have known, inflicting Scotland’s heaviest defeat in this fixture since 2011. In hindsight, and taking into account the extraordinary depth at Mitchell’s disposal, it seems bonkers to peg them with an availability crisis but the truth is that no other side – women’s or men’s – in the world could cope with England’s absentee list and continue with such dominance. Three second rows, Zoe Stratford, Abbie Ward and Rosie Galligan, are pregnant, as is hooker Lark Atkin-Davies, while five others have suffered championship-ending injuries. Seven of the 13 forwards who played in last autumn’s World Cup final win were absent, including Alex Matthews who is only a short-term loss, and England were down what could be considered as a third-choice lock pairing and a debutant, Demelza Short, at blindside while Ellie Kildunne, one of the Red Roses’ superstars, started on the wing for the first time in white. It made no difference. After a nervy start against a Scotland side bulwarked by record home support – there were 30,498 packed into Murrayfield – England ran riot. Zoe Harrison was immaculate both out of hand and with the boot, and kicked each of her 12 conversions, with Emma Sing and Kildunne providing cutting edge out wide. Meg Jones, the captain, gave the visitors direction and momentum in the midfield but what will have pleased Mitchell greatly is how his callow forwards stepped up. Lilli Ives Campion had a tremendous match in the second row, leading England’s flawless line-out, while Short looked to the manner born at blindside, mixing deft and destructive to often devastating effect. The same must be said of Short’s fellow back-rowers, Sadia Kabeya and Maddie Feaunati, too, but that would come as a surprise to no one. After Kildunne had crossed twice – the second her 50th try for England in 59 caps – and Jones got on the end of a sumptuous Kabeya offload, Kelsey Clifford wrapped up the first-half bonus point for England. Scotland, at least, managed a score of their own - and it was a peach, with Chloe Rollie regathering a chip-and-chase to feed Rhona Lloyd. Lloyd showed both Jess Breach and Kildunne a clean pair of heels to score. That was all that the Scottish crowd had to cheer, however, as England clicked through the gears. Sing, Amy Cokayne and Marlie Packer all added to Sarah Bern’s double, the second in two matches for the tighthead off the bench. Kabeya, Mia Venner and Haineala Lutui added late scores as England puffed out their chests and reminded everyone of their hegemony. The Murrayfield attendance is evidence enough of a growing game but Scotland have not beaten England since 1999, a record which does not look as though it will be broken any time soon. Match detailsScoring sequence: 0-5 Kildunne try, 0-7 Harrison con, 0-12 Jones try, 0-14 Harrison con, 0-19 Kildunne try, 0-21 Harrison con, 0-26 Clifford try, 0-28 Harrison con, 5-28 Lloyd try, 7-28 Nelson con, 7-33 Sing try, 7-35 Harrison con, 7-40 Cokayne try, 7-42 Harrison con, 7-47 Bern try, 7-49 Harrison con, 7-54 Bern try, 7-56 Harrison con, 7-61 M Packer try, 7-63 Harrison con, 7-68 Kabeya try, 7-70 Harrison con, 7-75 Venner try, 7-77 Harrison con, 7-82 Lutui try, 7-84 Harrison con. H-T: 7-35. Scotland C Rollie; R Lloyd (Darroch 61), E Wills (Scott 42), M Smith, S Campbell (McGhie 47); H Nelson, L Brebner-Holden (Darroch 13, Brebner-Holden 25); L Bartlett (Swann 57), L Skeldon (Martin 60), E Clarke (Poolman 57), E Wassell, H Cunningham (Bogan 47), R Malcolm (capt), A Stewart (McLachlan 47), E Coubrough. England E Sing; J Breach, M Jones (capt), H Rowland (Aitchison 61), E Kildunne (Venner 61); Z Harrison, L Packer (Robinson 63); K Clifford (Carson 51), A Cokayne (Powell 51), M Muir (Bern 51), A Burton, L Ives Campion (Lutui 57), D Short (M Packer 57), S Kabeya, M Feaunati. Referee Zoe Naude. Attendance 30,498. Latest updates Kieran Crichard live updates. Charles Richardson Rugby Reporter, at Murrayfield 3:40PM Player of the match Maddie Feaunati Link copied to clipboard “It felt really good and it was good to get out there with the girls at Murrayfield, what an amazing occasion. I am super proud of the girls, everyone was outstanding. The starters set the tone, the bench came on and scored tries and executed their role really well.” On what it felt like to play at Murrayfield in front of a record crowd:  “You can feel the aura, you can feel the spirit and you can feel the skills and what it means to the Scottish girls. It is a huge occasion, everyone wants to play a game here and now we can say we have done it.” 3:34PM Today’s round two fixtures Link copied to clipboard Scotland 7 England 84 FT Wales vs France 3.35pm Ireland vs Italy 5.40pm 3:28PM Maggie Alphonsi on the BBC Link copied to clipboard “It was an impressive display from England. After the way they played against Ireland, you could say England were very rusty. They left opportunities behind, but today they capitalised on every chance when they got into the 22. “I think I wrote down 20 visits and they scored 12 tries. It just shows you just how good this side is. Every player stood up. It IS disappointing for the Scottish fans. Thirty thousand [fans] are here to watch Scotland play and they just did not put in a performance. “All the forwards really stepped up today. Again, I will come back to last weekend against Ireland, you did not really see the forwards get into the game. You did not see them win the collisions. You did not see them go forward, if anything. Today, they absolutely owned it, this England team have got a really good power game.” 3:25PM England’s fixtures Link copied to clipboard April 11- England 33 Ireland 12 (Allianz Stadium) Today- Scotland 7 England 84 (Murrayfield) April 25- England vs Wales (Ashton Gate) May 9- Italy vs England (Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi) May 17- France vs England (Stade Atlantique) 3:20PM Emphatic Link copied to clipboard England are missing plenty of players, especially in the back five of the scrum, but you would have not known it watching those 80 minutes. It just highlights the strength in depth England possess and the huge chasm between them and Scotland. 3:18PM Full time: Scotland 7 England 84 Link copied to clipboard That is the final act and England have put Scotland to the sword big time. Anyone hoping to take England’s crown away from them has a serious job on their hands. England were not at their emphatic best but they were so ruthless this afternoon. A chastening afternoon for Scotland. A statement win 🌹#SCOvENG pic.twitter.com/I3LrUBMhIS — Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) April 18, 2026 3:17PM TRY! Lutui finishes off the job for England Link copied to clipboard The perfect way to cap off a sensational afternoon for England as Lutui, in her second game for England goes over. It stemmed from an emphatic scrum from England against the feed. The conversion is added. Haineala Lutui scoring her first-ever try for the Red Roses 🌹#SCOvENG pic.twitter.com/Rc7OEaoDQ0 — Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) April 18, 2026 3:15PM 79 mins: Scotland 7 England 77 Link copied to clipboard England again attack from deep, with Harrison making the break from her 22. She kicks ahead and the ball keeps rolling into the Scottish 22. Breach gets to it first and hacks on but knocks on just before the Scotland line 3:14PM TRY! Venner adds another for England Link copied to clipboard The visitors are not done as they score their 11th of the afternoon. England attack from their own 22 and it results in a try. As they approach the Scotland 22, they move from right to left with slick handling from the backs, with Venner going over on her third England cap. Harrison adds the extras. 3:11PM TRY! Kabeya goes over for England’s 10th Link copied to clipboard This has been a statement and a half from John Mitchell’s side. After a number of phases inside the Scotland 22, the pressure pays off as Kabeya powers over from close range. Kabeya has deserved that try with a top performance this afternoon. Yet another conversion added by Harrison as England have been far more clinical than they were last weekend. 3:09PM 73 mins: Scotland 7 England 63 Link copied to clipboard Scotland look very tired as McGhie’s clearing kick from deep inside her 22 does not go far and England will have the lineout in a good attacking position. 3:04PM 68 mins: Scotland 7 England 63 Link copied to clipboard Scotland enter the England 22 ball-in-hand for the first time in a while but waste this attacking opportunity with a knock-on. England have been so dominant today in all areas of the game. 3:01PM TRY! M Packer forces her way over Link copied to clipboard A 53rd England try for M Packer. She runs a good line but the defending from Scotland leaves a lot to be desired as she powers her way through a tackle to score. Scotland have now missed 40 tackles today. The extras are added. What a line from Marlie Packer 🎯#SCOvENG pic.twitter.com/KIGA1BmbpN — Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) April 18, 2026 2:59PM 64 mins: Scotland 7 England 56 Link copied to clipboard A change at scrum-half for England as Robinson replaces L Packer. 2:59PM 63 mins: Scotland 7 England 56 Link copied to clipboard England again are in possession in the Scotland 22 and win a penalty as Scotland replacement loosehead prop Swann is penalised for not rolling away quickly enough. England take the quick tap and Bern is brought down just shy of the line. Scotland again are penalised for not rolling away and are now on a team warning. Another quick tap is taken. England shift it wide to the left wing but Venner is bundled into touch. There is then a bit of beef between the two sides for the first time today. 2:57PM 62 mins: Scotland 7 England 56 Link copied to clipboard Double change for England as Aitchison and Venner come on in the backs. 2:54PM TRY! Bern at the double Link copied to clipboard After scoring twice against Ireland last week, Bern has repeated that feat today in around 10 minutes after coming off the bench. As England have been doing all game, their forwards are carrying hard and gaining good ground, with Bern scoring from just a few metres out. The visitors are getting such quick ball and Scotland cannot cope. Another conversion is added as England pass the half-century mark. Sarah Bern goes airborne 😎#SCOvENG pic.twitter.com/1dlKv06rcQ — Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) April 18, 2026 2:51PM 58 mins: Scotland 7 England 49 Link copied to clipboard Both sides are making more changes. For Scotland, props Swann and Poolman come on. For England, Lutui and M Packer make their way onto the field. 2:49PM 56 mins: Scotland 7 England 49 Link copied to clipboard Scotland win a penalty near the England 10-metre line after a high tackle by L Packer. However, Nelson’s kick towards the corner is dreadful and goes dead. 2:47PM TRY! Bern powers over for visitors Link copied to clipboard She has only been on the pitch for a few minutes but Bern adds to the two tries she got last week. It stems from a great break from Sing and then Kildunne being brought down just shy of the Scotland line. A few phases later, Bern runs onto L Packer’s pass at pace and there is no stopping the prop from close range. Harrison continues to be perfect from the tee. 2:44PM 52 mins: Scotland 7 England 42 Link copied to clipboard England are changing their entire front-row as Powell, Carson and Bern come on. Muir’s impressive 50th cap comes to an end. Meanwhile Scotland have a lineout on the England 22 but Skeldon’s throw is not straight. England’s new front-row then dominates at the scrum and wins the visitors a penalty. 2:44PM 51 mins: Scotland 7 England 42 Link copied to clipboard Just another quick nod to Zoe Harrison who, as Amy Cokayne adds another English try, is six from six off the tee so far this afternoon. Metronomic. 2:43PM 50 mins: Scotland 7 England 42 Link copied to clipboard Muir is having a fine game, especially ball in hand, where she is powering her way through numerous tackles with some bruising carries. 2:41PM TRY! Cokayne rumbles over Link copied to clipboard Scotland can do nothing to prevent the England maul from rolling over from just over 10 metres out, with England hooker Cokayne the one to dot down at the back of the maul. Harrison continues her great day from the tee with another conversion. Amy Cokayne is a master of the rolling maul 🤩#SCOvENG pic.twitter.com/PrAc7bIyHb — Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) April 18, 2026 2:39PM 47 mins: Scotland 7 England 35 Link copied to clipboard England are getting such quick ball from rucks, which means they can keep the tempo high. That quick ruck speed catches Scotland out as they are caught offside just outside their 22. England kick to the corner. Scotland make a triple change as Bogan, McLachlan and McGhie come on. 2:33PM 43 mins: Scotland 7 England 35 Link copied to clipboard Play is halted as Scotland outside centre Wills is down injured, clutching at her right forearm/wrist. She is back to her feet but is in plenty of pain so her day will be over. Scott will come on in her place. 2:29PM Second half Link copied to clipboard We are back under way at Murrayfield. 2:25PM HT verdict Link copied to clipboard This has been a monumental flex from England. Given the list of absentees, and the worries surrounding the second row and the line-out, this has been a clinic from England. After a nervy start, the visitors ran in five first-half tries, conceding just one - a smash-and-grab created by Chloe Rollie and finished by Rhona Lloyd. Zoe Harrison has been immaculate for England while the young duo of Lilli Ives Campion and Demelza Short, the latter on debut, have looked to the manner born at this level.  Being hypercritical, England’s scrum has been a bit overexuberant but given the concerns surrounding the line-out, which has been flawless, forwards’ coach Louis Deacon must be tremendously pleased by that opening 40 minutes. Now, to push on and be ruthless. 2:22PM 50 up! Link copied to clipboard A milestone moment for Ellie Kildunne 🏉#SCOvENG pic.twitter.com/dr6rXd6eoo — Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) April 18, 2026 2:20PM HT stats Link copied to clipboard Possession: Scotland 45%-55% England Tackles made: 37-29 Tackles missed: 6-11 Carries: 33-51 Handling errors: 7-4 Penalties conceded: 2-3 2:15PM Half-time Link copied to clipboard That is big from England. They actually made a mess of their exit, with just seconds remaining in the half, and are penalised on the edge of their 22. Scotland kick to the corner and get the maul rolling towards the England line. However, fine work from Feaunati disrupts the Scotland maul and England are awarded the scrum to bring the first half to an end. England lead by 28 points at the break. 2:12PM TRY! Sing over after great work from England’s forwards Link copied to clipboard England hit back immediately and Sing owes her forwards a favour. It stems from a superb, powerful carry from Muir to take England from the Scottish 10-metre line into the Scotland 22. Then Kabeya carries brilliantly to within a few metres of the Scotland line. England have numbers out to the right and that is where they go, with Sing the one to finish off the move. The extras are added. Emma Sing selling the dummy 👏#SCOvENG pic.twitter.com/OvqKRsXZ5U — Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) April 18, 2026 2:08PM TRY! Lloyd gets Scotland on the board Link copied to clipboard It has taken 36 minutes but that is a fine score for the home side. With a penalty advantage in hand just inside the English half, a chip kick is put ahead and Rollie catches it. As she approaches the England 22, she offloads inside to Lloyd, who has the pace to run in between Breach and Kildunne to score. The conversion is added. Wheels from Rhona Lloyd! The Sale and Scotland flyer had a bit of a headstart but she left both of England’s wings, Jess Breach and Ellie Kildunne, for dead there. The hosts are on the board. 2:05PM TRY! Clifford powers over Link copied to clipboard After a couple of strong carries from Cokayne and Kabeya, England loosehead prop Clifford powers her way over from close range. That is England’s bonus-point try, which is converted by Harrison. England will be delighted with these first 35 minutes; they have been far more clinical than they were a week ago against Ireland. Pure power from Kelsey Clifford 💪#SCOvENG pic.twitter.com/5p5OVWDNAx — Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) April 18, 2026 2:04PM 31 mins: Scotland 0 England 21 Link copied to clipboard Scotland knock on just outside their 22 after Jones’ grubber kick and England are on the attack with a penalty advantage in hand. England make good progress into the Scottish 22 and then earn themselves a fresh penalty as the home side fail to roll away 10 metres from their own line. England will take a quick tap... 2:00PM 28 mins: Scotland 0 England 21 Link copied to clipboard Scotland have another lineout, this time outside the English 22, and get the maul rolling into the England 22. However, England do enough to disrupt proceedings and win themselves a scrum. The Scotland players felt there were some illegal entries at that maul from the England players but the officials do not agree. England then win a scrum penalty. The scrum has been a mess so far, in particular on Muir and Bartlett’s side. 1:57PM 25 mins: Scotland 0 England 21 Link copied to clipboard Scotland scrum-half Brebner-Holden went off for an HIA but she passed it and is now back on. The hosts made a positive start to this game but have been outplayed since. They do finally have an attacking opportunity with a lineout just inside the English 22 but the ball is knocked on by the home side. As England run in their third try, almost putting the match to bed within 25 minutes, it is worth noting that the visiting line-out, with fears in the week owing to the lock absentees, has been flawless. Scotland have not even come close to disrupting one so far. 1:54PM TRY! Kildunne at the double Link copied to clipboard She did not have her best game last week but Kildunne is playing a big role this afternoon. England are on the attack once more inside the Scottish 22 and shift it along the line from right to left. Jones swings a lovely long pass out to find Kildunne in space and it is a simple finish. Jones got smashed as soon as she fizzed out the pass but the quality of the pass allowed Kildunne to take it in-stride. That try is Kildunne’s 50th in an England shirt. Harrison gets the extras. The vision from Meg Jones and the clinical finish from Ellie Kildunne 🤩#SCOvENG pic.twitter.com/s592Bvo5Bi — Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) April 18, 2026 1:49PM 18 mins: Scotland 0 England 14 Link copied to clipboard After Scotland fail to clear their lines and knock on inside their 22, England have a scrum but Scotland win the penalty against the feed. 1:45PM 14 mins: Scotland 0 England 14 Link copied to clipboard Scotland are forced into a change at scrum-half Brebner-Holden is replaced by Darroch, who is on for her Scotland debut. 1:44PM TRY! Jones extends England’s lead Link copied to clipboard England are gaining momentum and have their second try of the afternoon inside the opening quarter of an hour. From a lineout not far outside the Scottish 22, Kabeya carries hard through a few tackles before offloading to her captain Jones on the Scottish 22. Jones steps Lloyd before racing to the line untouched. Harrison adds the easy conversion. Sadia Kabeya, take a bow. The carry, powering through Helen Nelson, her Loughborough team-mate, as if Nelson wasn’t there, before a soft, perfectly timed offload to captain Megan Jones to finish. A beauty from England - and a long way back now for Scotland. The step from Meg Jones 😮‍💨#SCOvENG pic.twitter.com/1WQGdpCcNT — Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) April 18, 2026 1:42PM 11 mins: Scotland 0 England 7 Link copied to clipboard England got off to a nervy start in the opening five minutes but are finding their rhythm. They are on the attack once more in the Scottish 22 but Kildunne drops Feaunati’s pass and the ball rolls into touch. 1:41PM 9 mins: Scotland 0 England 7 Link copied to clipboard Kildunne and England nearly have their second in the same corner. Sing spots the space in behind and puts the grubber kick in. Kildunne hares after it into the Scottish 22 but the bouncing ball just evades her and rolls into touch. Had the ball bounced in her favour, Kildunne would have had an easy finish. 1:37PM TRY! Kildunne puts England ahead Link copied to clipboard The visitors strike first at Murrayfield. It all stems from Feaunati, who breaks a couple of tackles and powers towards the Scottish 22. She has Kildunne outside her and passes to her left to find the winger. Kildunne has the speed to race down the left touchline and scores right in the corner. Harrison’s conversion is superb from the touchline and England lead by seven Give Ellie Kildunne a bit of space and she will score 🔥#SCOvENG pic.twitter.com/lO56VmFi6b — Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) April 18, 2026 1:37PM 7 mins: Scotland 0 England 0 Link copied to clipboard That is superb from Harrison, who spots some space and grass, putting the kick in behind and the ball rolls into touch inside the Scotland 22 for a 50:22. This will be England’s first foray with ball-in-hand into the Scottish 22. England’s maul gets going but is then stopped 10 metres out so the ball has to be shipped out into the hands of the backs. Rowland identifies the space in behind with the Scottish backline coming up quickly. Rowland puts the grubber kick ahead, knowing it is a deep in-goal zone at Murrayfield, but there is just slightly too much on it and captain Jones cannot quite get onto it. That is a very nervy English start, which has been somewhat aided by a sumptuous Zoe Harrison 50:22. Earlier, Emma Sing sliced a clearance, Jess Breach missed a tackle on Emily Coubrough - the No 8 enjoying a lively start - and England had to scramble to hold up Elliann Clarke over the line. That said, the visitors are now on the attack...  1:35PM 5 mins: Scotland 0 England 0 Link copied to clipboard England are having to do a lot of defending in these early stages and have barely touched the ball but John Mitchell will be content with his team have fronted up in defence thus far. England are short on locks but their first lineout goes to plan. 1:33PM 3 mins: Scotland 0 England 0 Link copied to clipboard Scotland tighthead prop Clarke carries hard but is carried over the line by Sing and Harrison and is held up so it will be a goal-line drop out. England’s defence stands firm. 1:32PM 2 mins: Scotland 0 England 0 Link copied to clipboard Scotland are awarded a free-kick after England’s forwards engage too early. 1:31PM 1 min: Scotland 0 England 0 Link copied to clipboard From a lineout just outside the England 22, Scotland number eight Coubrough bursts through a tackle and takes the hosts deep into the visitors’ 22. However, a few phases later, Scotland knock on just over five metres out from the England line. 1:30PM Kick-off Link copied to clipboard It is a stunning day for some running rugby and we are up and running at Murrayfield. Will England make it two from two or can Scotland cause a major shock to end England’s 34-match unbeaten run? The attendance expected today at Murrayfield is over 28,000, making it the largest standalone women’s sports fixture ever in Scotland. As the teams emerged, every voice could be heard. Boisterous! 1:27PM Teams Link copied to clipboard Scotland starting XV: 15 Chloe Rollie, 14 Rhona Lloyd, 13 Evie Wills, 12 Meryl Smith, 11 Shona Campbell, 10 Helen Nelson, 9 Leia Brebner-Holden; 1 Leah Bartlett, 2 Lana Skeldon, 3 Elliann Clarke, 4 Emma Wassell, 5 Hollie Cunningham, 6 Rachel Malcolm, 7 Alex Stewart, 8 Emily Coubrough. Replacements: 16 Elis Martin, 17 Demi Swann, 18 Molly Poolman, 19 Holland Bogan, 20 Rachel McLachlan, 21 Rianna Darroch, 22 Lucia Scott, 23 Francesca McGhie. England starting XV: 15 Emma Sing; 14 Jess Breach, 13 Meg Jones (captain), 12 Helena Rowland, 11 Ellie Kildunne; 10 Zoe Harrison, 9 Lucy Packer; 1 Kelsey Clifford, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Maud Muir, 4 Abi Burton, 5 Lilli Ives Campion, 6 Demelza Short, 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Maddie Feaunati. Replacements: 16 Connie Powell, 17 Mackenzie Carson, 18 Sarah Bern, 19 Haineala Lutui, 20 Marlie Packer, 21 Flo Robinson, 22 Holly Aitchison, 23 Mia Venner. 1:25PM Anthem time Link copied to clipboard England are led out by Maud Muir, who brings up her 50th cap today, before both sides then emerge into the Edinburgh sunshine. Muir, as you can guess from her name, has Scottish blood in her but proudly brings up a half century of caps in an England shirt. It is now time for the national anthems, “God Save The King” followed by “Flower of Scotland”. 1:19PM England head coach John Mitchell speaking to the BBC Link copied to clipboard “There have been a lot of moving parts [with the injuries]. You have to adapt and respond to it. We are very short on lineout callers but Abi [Burton] is a great lineout forward. The test physically will be how long she can go in the set-piece. Demelza [Short] is as tough as nails and has no filter! She is a really cool kid and this will be a big test of her character but we will look after her.” “They [Scotland] look a lot faster, fitter in their defensive line and are a territory-based team.” 1:13PM Set-piece practice Link copied to clipboard Plenty of line-outs and mauling in England’s warm-up, with forwards’ coach Louis Deacon patrolling and barking at his pack. With so many locks missing, Scotland will really fancy their chances of getting into the visitors in this domain. 1:09PM Ellie Kildunne interview: I had crippling body dysmorphia Link copied to clipboard Ellie Kildunne has been credited with doing much to advance the cause of women’s sport in recent months. Her swashbuckling tries, equally swashbuckling hairdo and colourful “cowboy” celebrations were all key features of England’s joyous run to Rugby World Cup glory last autumn. On the day we talk, however, she is actually keen to speak up for her male counterparts. “I met Henry Pollock recently,” Kildunne says of the England back-rower who has split fan opinion with his divisive try celebrations and decision to get into bed with promoter Eddie Hearn. “I think the scrutiny he gets is so unfair. He’s criticised for being cocky and arrogant but he’s not like that at all in person. He’s not faking anything. He’s just being himself on the field. When the women do it, we’re perceived as having fun.” Kildunne has been having a lot of that recently. Since England’s 33-13 win over Canada at a sold-out Allianz Stadium last September, it has been one long whirlwind of dinners and awards shows, including BBC Sports Personality of the Year, where the British public voted her into second place behind Rory McIlroy. Kildunne has even had a Barbie doll made in her image, with big frizzy hair, which now takes pride of place above her bed in her childhood home in Riddlesden, near Keighley. “Everything goes there,” she confides. “I joke with my parents, we say ‘Oh, it’s the shrine’.” Ellie Kildunne has switched from her usual full-back position to the wing Credit: Russell Cheyne/Reuters 1:03PM Different-looking England team Link copied to clipboard The starting XV that begun the World Cup final in September looks quite different to the one that starts at Murrayfield today. Here is the list of players who started the World Cup final who are not involved today: Abby Dow (retired) Tatyana Heard (injured) Natasha Hunt (injured) Alex Matthews (injured) Zoe Aldcroft (pregnant) Abbie Ward (pregnant) Morwenna Talling (injured) Hannah Botterman (injured) The likes of Lark Atkin-Davies and Rosie Galligan, who were on the bench that day, are also missing due to pregnancy. 12:55PM England’s fixtures Link copied to clipboard April 11- England 33 Ireland 12 (Allianz Stadium) Today- Scotland vs England (Murrayfield) April 25- England vs Wales (Ashton Gate) May 9- Italy vs England (Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi) May 17- France vs England (Stade Atlantique) 12:51PM Shortage of second-rows Link copied to clipboard 12:46PM Pre-match thoughts of Scotland head coach Sione Fukofuka Link copied to clipboard “We really want to use that energy [from the crowd]. Use that support to go out there and express ourselves. We want to perform, we want to play to the potential that we have. We started the championship off with four points, but we did not quite play to our potential. That was a bit disappointing in some ways. There are a few moving parts that did not quite connect last week. “This week we have got an opportunity at home to step into that pressure and really enjoy the chance to go and perform. If we can get our set-piece platform to give us the opportunity to play our front foot game, get through the phase count and really unlock some of those threats that we have, we are pretty confident that we will be in a position to then take advantage of some of those opportunities.” 12:40PM Visitors in the house Link copied to clipboard England have arrived at Murrayfield. pic.twitter.com/hVm4f96ofw — Charles Richardson (@CharlesRTel) April 18, 2026 12:34PM Teams Link copied to clipboard Scotland starting XV: 15 Chloe Rollie, 14 Rhona Lloyd, 13 Evie Wills, 12 Meryl Smith, 11 Shona Campbell, 10 Helen Nelson, 9 Leia Brebner-Holden; 1 Leah Bartlett, 2 Lana Skeldon, 3 Elliann Clarke, 4 Emma Wassell, 5 Hollie Cunningham, 6 Rachel Malcolm, 7 Alex Stewart, 8 Emily Coubrough. Replacements: 16 Elis Martin, 17 Demi Swann, 18 Molly Poolman, 19 Holland Bogan, 20 Rachel McLachlan, 21 Rianna Darroch, 22 Lucia Scott, 23 Francesca McGhie. England starting XV: 15 Emma Sing; 14 Jess Breach, 13 Meg Jones (captain), 12 Helena Rowland, 11 Ellie Kildunne; 10 Zoe Harrison, 9 Lucy Packer; 1 Kelsey Clifford, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Maud Muir, 4 Abi Burton, 5 Lilli Ives Campion, 6 Demelza Short, 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Maddie Feaunati. Replacements: 16 Connie Powell, 17 Mackenzie Carson, 18 Sarah Bern, 19 Haineala Lutui, 20 Marlie Packer, 21 Flo Robinson, 22 Holly Aitchison, 23 Mia Venner. 12:27PM England’s quality squad put to the test against old foes Link copied to clipboard John Mitchell insists England will keep “pushing forward” after drafting Abi Burton into a makeshift second row for his side’s Women’s Six Nations match against Scotland.  Back-rower Burton, a former sevens specialist who overcame a life-threatening brain condition before returning to the XVs set-up in 2024, has been moved forward as England aim to minimise their lock crisis for their second-round clash at Murrayfield. Having only started twice before at blindside flanker, Burton will form a new second-row partnership with Lilli Ives Campion who, at 22, is the last bonafide lock in England’s ranks. Regular second-row starters Zoe Stratford, Abbie Ward and Rosie Galligan are all missing the championship after announcing their pregnancies while Morwenna Talling suffered a tournament-ending injury in last weekend’s win over Ireland.  Abi Burton (pictured) is given the nod to start for England this afternoon Credit: Zak Mauger/Getty Images “We have had to adapt to a number of changes with injuries to team-mates who are hugely valued within the group, but that is part of the culture we are building,” said Mitchell. “It creates opportunities for others to step up and highlights the depth we are continuing to grow. There is a real hunger in this group to keep pushing forward, regardless of the challenges we face.” Elsewhere, Maddie Feaunati starts at No 8 in place of the injured Alex Matthews and 19-year-old Demelza Short will make her Test debut at blindside flanker. “Sometimes you just see players and they have an aura about them,” England forwards coach Sarah Hunter said. “It is a coaching instinct and Demelza is someone who has been on our radar coming through the pathway. She is physically able to be in the tight but she is also fast and rangy in space.”  Hunter believes the high number of absences has come at a good time for England as they look to build more depth for the 2027 World Cup. She said: “If we think about it, in a four-year cycle, it is almost good that we are having this situation now, that we can grow and develop some of the younger players coming through – it might be accelerating them a little bit.” While England are missing a flurry of big names – prop Hannah Botterman and hooker May Campbell were also ruled out of the championship on Thursday – their pack still looks strong. Their front row boasts a combined 161 caps, while tighthead prop Maud Muir will make her 50th Test appearance in Edinburgh, where a record crowd for a standalone women’s sporting event is expected. Among the backs, Ellie Kildunne moves to the wing with Emma Sing starting at full-back and Zoe Harrison is preferred at fly-half to Holly Aitchison.