GB Sevens Shekells in England Womens Six Nations squad

Jade Shekells (centre) signed for Gloucester-Hartpury at the start of this season, having previously played for Worcester Warriors

Womens Six Nations

England v Italy

Venue: LNER Community Stadium, York Date: Sunday, 23 March Kick-off: 15:00 GMT

Coverage: Live on BBC Two, BBC Radio and BBC Sport website and app

England head coach John Mitchell has included GB Sevens player Jade Shekells in his Womens Six Nations squad before their opener against Italy on Sunday.

The 2024 Paris Olympian, who recently played for GB in the Vancouver leg of the World Sevens Series in February, is uncapped in the XVs code.

Shekells is one of four players who might make their Red Roses debut in York, including Ealings Abi Burton, Leicesters Charlotte Fray and Exeters Flo Robinson.

Notable absences from the 37-woman squad are Harlequins hooker Connie Powell and Bristol wing Millie David.

The squad will be led for the first time by new captain Zoe Aldcroft, who helped Gloucester-Hartpury win the Premiership Womens Rugby (PWR) title for the third time in a row on Sunday.

Shekells has impressed in a handful of games for Gloucester-Hartpury at outside centre this season but has moved in and out of the Great Britain Sevens set-up. It is understood England are looking at her as a 12.

Wing Mia Venner is included after an excellent season, culminating in an impressive outing with club side Gloucester-Hartpury in the PWR final.

Venner is now in the mix for one of the most open selection battles before the Rugby World Cup in August.

The wing competition includes the comeback of Claudia MacDonald at Exeter, the return from injury of Jess Breach, Abby Dows expected return from a hand injury and now Venner.

Harlequins hooker Connie Powell will not be able to add to her 19 caps as she is overtaken in the pecking order by Saracens May Campbell.

Despite Saracens losing the PWR final, Campbell has had a stellar season at club level would have been near-impossible to leave out of the squad.

She has also proven her versatility with a number of appearances in the back row.

England are reigning Womens Six Nations champions and are aiming to win a seventh title in a row.

Forwards

Zoe Aldcroft (capt) (Gloucester-Hartpury), Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears), Sarah Beckett (Gloucester-Hartpury) Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears) Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears) Georgia Brock (Gloucester-Hartpury) Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women), May Campbell (Saracens), Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury), Kelsey Clifford (Saracens), Amy Cokayne (Leicester Tigers), Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs), Charlotte Fray (Leicester Tigers), Rosie Galligan (Saracens), Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning), Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning), Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury), Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury), Marlie Packer (Saracens), Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks), Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears)

Backs

Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears), Jess Breach (Saracens), Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women), Zoe Harrison (Saracens), Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury), Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury), Megan Jones (Leicester Tigers), Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins), Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs), Lucy Packer (Harlequins), Flo Robinson (Exeter Chiefs), Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning), Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning), Jade Shekells (Gloucester-Hartpury), Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury), Mia Venner (Gloucester-Hartpury)