With the turn of the new year England’s Women are gearing up for the 2019 Women’s Six Nations, as they enter the new year with a 35-strong elite player squad set to be announced.
Three Red Roses stars have already been handed central contracts by the RFU with more set to be confirmed as England aim to regain their Women’s Six Nations crown from France.
But who will be the England players that will light up this year’s competition as they attempt to claim a historic 15th title?
Jessica Breach
One of the first three players awarded an England XV’s contract was 21-year-old Jessica Breach after the youngster made the switch across the sevens divide.
Plying her trade for the Red Rose in the small-sided format for the last two seasons, Breach made the decision to transition back to XVs following a bronze medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
But the wing is certainly no stranger to the England setup after scoring a remarkable six tries on debut against Canada in 2017.
Then on only her second outing in England colours, the Harlequins lightning back notched up another incredible five tries at Twickenham against the same opposition.
Breach capped off 2018 in fine fettle with a try for her Tyrrells Premier 15s outfit against Worcester Valkyries.
The former England U18 and U20 international possesses electric pace and an eye for a try and could provide welcome try scoring ability as the Red Rose target toppling reigning champions France.
Emily Scarratt
England centre Emily Scarratt joined Breach in crossing the format divide to become the second player to be handed a contract by her nation.
The 2014 World Cup winner, first capped in 2008, has an impressive 74 international caps to her name and scored an impressive 16 points in the final four years ago as England beat Canada to the crown.
Thanks to her efforts, the Leicester-born star notched up the most points of any player in 2014 as she scored 70 through the tournament.
The 28-year-old also featured prominently at the 2017 Women’s World Cup as she narrowly missed out on scooping a third world title at the hands of New Zealand.
Scarratt notched up 10 points in both the semi-final and final before opting to join the sevens format where she claimed a Commonwealth bronze medal.
Blessed with a deadly right boot and the versatility of playing at either centre or full back, the Loughborough Lightning star will certainly be looking to add to her already impressive 378 points on the international stage.
Lydia Thompson
England scored a mouth-watering 21 tries over the course of a tremendous autumn international campaign, but no player was on the scoreboard more than the impressive Lydia Thompson.
The 2017 World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year nominee completed a sterling hat-trick to sink Ireland at Twickenham and help her side to record a 37-10 victory.
Thompson is another veteran of the 2018 Commonwealth Games bronze medal winning side from the Gold Coast but has mostly featured for the XVs outfit since debuting in 2012 against Spain.
With 38 caps to her name and 135 points accumulated, the 26-year-old has certainly earned her reputation as one of the deadliest wings in the women’s game.
Thompson scored two tries in the 2014 Women’s World Cup, before a groin injury caused the then youngest member of England’s squad to be ruled out for the rest of the competition.
Playing an integral role in England’s 2017 Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam winning side, Thompson capped off a stunning personal tournament with the final try as the Red Rose beat Ireland to complete their unbeaten campaign in Donnybrook.
