Women's Six Nations: England demand high standards starting with opener against Italy

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Venue: Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma Date: Sunday, 24 March Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Coverage: Watch live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and online; text commentary, highlights and report on BBC Sport website and app.

The John Mitchell era is still yet to fully get started.

A proper camp in the build-up to England’s opening game against Italy in Parma on Sunday has given Mitchell time to get across a fresh style of play.

His philosophy is simple – fast, attacking and free-flowing rugby.

“We need to play quicker,” Mitchell told BBC Sport. “Our game is developing in the right way, but we want to get quicker at it. I would love us to create even more pressure.

“We want to make sure we can attack the opposition or convert in different ways, not just the primary area of the forwards.”

Returning stars eager to impress

England’s maul, which helped them dominate the Six Nations and reach the World Cup final in 2022, was their main weapon under former head coach Simon Middleton.

The return from injury of Zoe Harrison at fly-half and Emily Scarratt at inside centre – who has played predominantly at outside centre in her 108-cap international career – points to changes in attack.

“It is a nice new challenge to wrap my head around and slot that way into the new England way of playing,” said Scarratt.

“We’ve got an amazing crop of talented people and the depth throughout the squad is quite ridiculous.”

Lock Abbie Ward also comes into the starting line-up for the first time since giving birth.

The trio were key players during the World Cup but new talent has emerged in their absence, and Mitchell wants the old guard up to speed as soon as possible.

“My objective is to get them immersed into Test rugby as quickly as I can and stop them from guessing what it will be like,” he added.

“It is important to get the reality quickly, so get them in there and get them going which then creates healthy competition within the group.”

Mitchell said he knows his “best combinations” but was open to players proving him wrong as he looked to give opportunities building up to a home World Cup in 2025.

“The rotation might not end,” he said. “I have never seen some of the girls play Test rugby for England before. Now is a chance to put runs on the board.”

Success more than results

The Red Roses are seeking a third successive Grand Slam and a sixth successive Six Nations title.

With such success comes high expectations.

Captain Marlie Packer will win her 100th cap against Italy and wants this campaign to be more than just results.

“We need to make sure we perform in each game and it is not just about the points on the board, it is how we come off as players,” Packer said.

“We have targets in defence and attack that we want to hit in those games and that for us will define if this Six Nations has been successful.”

Italy ‘exceptional’ at turnovers

Sunday’s hosts were defeated by England 68-5 at Franklin’s Gardens in last year’s Six Nations.

Despite the hammering, Italy remained positive in their attacking style which was evident throughout the Six Nations and WXV2.

“We know they will play from 100 metres out as that is the way they express themselves and the way they like to play,” Mitchell added.

“They won’t die wondering and certainly will keep attacking.”

Another threat the Italians pose is their ability to win turnover ball – with a jackal rate of eight per game – to launch these attacks.

Packer as England’s open-side flanker and main turnover threat is ready for the fight on the ground.

“I love a jackal myself and anything above three is a good turnover jackaling game,” she said. “Eight is exceptional.”

World Cup glory in 2025 remains the ultimate goal but Sunday presents an opportunity to put new foundations in place as the team go in pursuit of a first title under Mitchell’s new regime.