Replacing Abby Dow is a challenging dilemma for the England women’s rugby team, akin to the famous question posed in a popular song. The Red Roses winger announced her retirement following the Rugby World Cup, creating a notable gap in scoring for the reigning champions as they aim to secure their eighth consecutive Women’s Six Nations title. England’s head coach, John Mitchell, faces a tough decision as he prepares for the opening match against Ireland on Saturday.
Dow, who scored 50 tries in 59 appearances for England, was known for her remarkable speed and agility on the field. She has chosen to transition into a career in engineering, leaving behind significant expectations for her successor. The challenge lies not in the lack of candidates to fill her position, but rather in determining who among them will be selected to wear the Red Roses jersey.
Mitchell expressed his respect for Dow’s contributions, stating, “Abby was world class. She was an outstanding rugby player and now she has made a really good career choice.” He highlighted the strengths of several players vying for the winger position, including Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and Jess Breach, both of whom have proven themselves valuable in the air. Additionally, Millie David brings speed, Bo Westcombe-Evans offers agility, and Mia Venner is known for her evasive skills in tight situations. Mitchell is tasked with finding the right combination for the back three.
Among the options at Mitchell’s disposal, Breach has been a regular starter since he took charge in 2023, making her a likely candidate to retain her position. On the opposite side, Moloney-MacDonald, a member of the World Cup-winning team, stands out with 21 tries in 36 caps and is recognized for her combination of speed and physicality in tackles.
Millie David, one of the seven uncapped players in the 38-member Six Nations squad, is another strong contender. Known as “Millie Whizz,” the Bristol Bears player was named the breakthrough player of the season in the previous Premiership Women’s Rugby campaign, finishing as the league’s top try-scorer. Despite Bristol’s current eighth-place standing, David has maintained her scoring prowess with nine tries this season, ranking fifth in the league.
Venner, another top scorer, has 11 tries and has helped her club, Gloucester-Hartpury, ascend to the top of the league. Having caught Mitchell’s attention for some time, she narrowly missed out on the World Cup squad last year. Westcombe-Evans, from Loughborough Lightning, is also in contention, having returned from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. With 10 tries to her name, she aims to build on her two international caps this season.
Another possibility for Mitchell could be shifting star full-back Ellie Kildunne to the wing, with Emma Sing or Helena Rowland stepping in at full-back. The depth of talent within the squad offers several viable options to replace Dow, and it is crucial for Mitchell to make the right choice to ensure the team continues its scoring success.
In addition to Dow’s retirement, Emily Scarratt, another key player with 119 caps, has also stepped back from playing but remains involved as the lead attack and backs coach. Furthermore, the squad will be missing three experienced members—captain Zoe Stratford, Abbie Ward, and Lark Atkin-Davies—who are all on maternity leave, totaling a loss of 224 caps. Tatyana Heard is sidelined due to injury as well. Despite these changes, the Red Roses maintain an impressive average of 29 caps per player in the Six Nations squad.
A new leadership structure has emerged, with Meg Jones stepping up from vice-captain to captain in Stratford’s absence. Amy Cokayne and Alex Matthews will serve as her vice-captains throughout the tournament. Jones expressed her pride in her new role, emphasizing the continuity within the team, stating, “I have worked with Zoe and all of the leadership girls before anyway, so nothing really changes.” She highlighted the importance of unity and shared goals among the players.
With new players, a fresh captain, and the challenge of filling Dow’s role, the England team remains a favorite to showcase their prowess in the upcoming matches, promising to deliver exciting performances as they continue their journey in the Six Nations.
