England's Hunt and Talling Suffer Leg Injuries, Out of Women's Six Nations

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.

“- Published England's already depleted squad have suffered a double injury blow with it being confirmed scrum-half Natasha Hunt and second row Morwenna Talling are out of the remainder of their Women's Six Nations title defence”

BBC

Both sustained leg injuries in the second half of England's 33-12 win over Ireland at Allianz Stadium.

BBC

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."

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.

CNA

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 acknowledged the need for tactical flexibility given the lock injury crisis.

“The Red Roses will be without World Cup winners Natasha Hunt and Morwenna Talling for the rest of the Six Nations, in another major injury blow for John Mitchell’s side”

Planet Rugby

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.