Sports12 April, 20261 min read
England's Hunt and Talling Suffer Leg Injuries, Out of Women's Six Nations
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Hunt and Talling ruled out for remainder of the Six Nations. Injuries occurred in the opening-round win over Ireland; both players left on crutches.
England's Injury Crisis
England's Women's Six Nations campaign has been severely disrupted by a double injury blow that ruled out World Cup winners Natasha Hunt and Morwenna Talling. Both sustained leg injuries in the second half of England's 33-12 win over Ireland at Allianz Stadium. Hunt lasted just 13 minutes from the bench before being substituted injured, while Talling played the full first half before withdrawing.
The loss of Talling is particularly significant as she was set for a key role during the Six Nations with fellow locks all pregnant. Head coach John Mitchell said, "We have lost four international locks so we will probably be a team of back-rowers by the end of the competition."
Squad Adaptation and New Call-Ups
Mitchell has opted against direct positional replacements, instead calling up Haidee Head and Sydney Gregson. England are stretched at scrum-half but still have Lucy Packer, backed up by Flo Robinson and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald. The second row is a real dearth of experience, with Lilli Ives Campion the most senior of the options.
Mitchell joked that his side would be a team of back rowers by the end of the tournament. The Red Roses face Scotland at Murrayfield with more than 25,000 tickets sold.
Mitchell's Tactical Flexibility
Mitchell acknowledged the need for tactical flexibility given the lock injury crisis. Maddie Feaunati said, if that means using back-rowers, then we will make it work. Despite the depleted squad, England managed to pull off a five-try performance.
The loss of Hunt is a blow but that of Talling is more significant. The situation tests the depth of the Premiership Women's Rugby competition.