England Centre Tatyana Heard believes interchangeable combinations and versatility will be important in pursuing another female Six Nations title.
Red Roses want to rival the best run of successive title wins – seven. They also look to some of their history, as they have never recorded four Grand Slams in a row.
Following a 67-12 victory in Wales where Ellie Kildun scored the trick, England are ready to face Ireland on Saturday, and they have heard that their execution and handling are essential to a different victory.
“Our execution is massive. We want to make sure we’re pinning these last passes,” Heard said.
“So you want to try things out. You want to be brave in everything you do, so things will happen.
“While mistakes happen, we want to make sure they are minimal. I think it’s something that every team wants to do, but that’s what we’re trying to put together in the future.”
After the victory over Wales, Red Rose head coach John Mitchell praised their good start with a new combination, but said his side lost momentum in the second half.
Image: England’s Wing Claudia MacDonald celebrates after winning the team’s fourth attempt during a six-country match between women in England and Italy
Relying on partnerships is key to tackling this issue, leaning against Gloucester’s teammate Hannah Jones in the middle.
“Building these relationships is huge,” I heard.
“It’s great to have a matching combination that suits how we play, and it’s really important to ensure that each of us clicks and how we make the most of each one of us.
“I tried to build it with megs [Megan Jones]but likewise, you’re trying to build it with everyone else on the team to make sure that all the combinations are correct.
Image: England No. 8 Maddie Funaty jumps out on the line and wins his first attempt against Wales
“Meg loves to be involved in everything, has great energy and is really loud in his personality, Hannah [Botterman] It’s much quieter and booked, but both of us like to bring about the physicality that I relate to.
“It’s really great about the slightest change in Six Nations.
“Both bring very different games. They’re very knowledgeable about the games, so it’s really cool to be with them.
“To allow me to learn both of them and adapt my game based on who I play with is something I am learning and trying to grow together.
“It’s great to have people who are very versatile in different combinations. It’s really exciting.”
Red roses wanting to replicate success more than improved Ireland
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England hopes to recreate its success at Musgrave Park in Cork, defeating Ireland 88-10 with the Six Nations last year.
However, Ireland has been ruled out from a 54-12 success against Italy, making the most of their support in their homes.
“They’ve had great games over the past few months and they definitely improved,” he added.
“There is no denying that it is a class performance from them, especially against the black ferns in WXV.
“But we just want to focus on ourselves and make sure we’re improving. Obviously we’re trying to keep the game adapting as we go.
“It’s one of the things that really matter to us, so we’ll be able to do that and hopefully stay on top.”
England’s Red Rose will face Ireland on Saturday, April 12th (4:455pm) at Musgrave Park in Cork in three rounds of six women’s countries.
British Women’s Six Nations 2025 Equipment
Red Roses ‘Women’s Six Nations 2025 Equipment
Sunday March 23rd Red Rose 38-5 Italy Saturday March 29th 67-12 Wales Saturday April 12th 67-12 Wales Saturday April 19th 4.45pm Saturday April 19th vs Scotland 4.45pm Saturday April 26th
Australia’s UK & Ireland Lions Tour with Sky Sports
Image: Watch the live lion tour at Sky Sports in 2025
Sky Sports will only showcase the 2025 UK and Irish Lions’ tour of Australia, with all three tests against the Wallabies and six warm-up matches showing live only.
