Bristol Bears wing Millie David will make her Red Roses debut in her home stadium on Saturday against Wales.
The 20-year-old, who has 26 tries in 31 Premiership Women’s Rugby matches, has been selected in the 14 jersey at a sold-out Ashton Gate.
It will be the third week in a row the Red Roses will have taken to the field in front of a crowd of over 25,000.
Head coach John Mitchell has made seven changes from the team that started the win over Scotland at Murrayfield last time out.
David’s club teammate Delaney Burns makes her first England appearance since 2023 from the second row in the absence of Lilli Ives Campion who misses the weekend due to a minor knee injury.
Wing Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and fly-half Holly Aitchison return to the starting XV as does tighthead prop Sarah Bern.
Loosehead prop Mackenzie Carson earns a first start of the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations while centurion flanker Marlie Packer, who scored her 53rd Red Roses try against Scotland, is promoted from the replacements.
“Last weekend was a special performance by the team at Murrayfield and one the whole squad and staff can be proud of, but we’ve already left that behind us,” Mitchell said.
“This week is about being clear on where our game is strong and where we need to improve. Wales are a side that over-commit at the contest, which will challenge us in a different way. It’s one we’re looking forward to, and an opportunity to keep evolving our game beyond the level we’ve started to build. Under Sean Lynn, Wales are improving, playing with greater clarity and enthusiasm, and we know we’ll have to earn that right again.
“For us, it’s about elevating our game. That means being courageous in our skillsets, building better connections, and owning our decisions. I love this side when it embraces those challenges, especially in front of a sold-out Ashton Gate.”
Red Roses team to play Wales
15 Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 59 caps)
14 Millie David (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
13 Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women, 35 caps) – captain
12 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 48 caps)
11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 37 caps)
10 Holly Aitchison (Sale Sharks, 46 caps)
9 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 41 caps)
1 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 25 caps)
2 Amy Cokayne (Sale Sharks, 91 caps)
3 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 81 caps)
4 Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women, 6 caps)
5 Delaney Burns (Bristol Bears, 3 caps)
6 Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 30 caps)
7 Marlie Packer (Saracens, 113 caps)
8 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 25 caps)
Replacements
16 Connie Powell (Harlequins, 21 caps)
17 Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 23 caps)
18 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 50 caps)
19 Haineala Lutui (Loughborough Lightning, 2 caps)
20 Demelza Short (Bristol Bears, 1 cap)
21 Flo Robinson (Exeter Chiefs, 2 caps)
22 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 67 caps)
23 Jess Breach (Saracens, 55 caps)
With thanks to the RFU
