Jade Shekells is back on the pitch, and the Red Roses just got a little deeper. England's Women's Six Nations squad received a boost this week as the 29-year-old centre completed her recovery from a hamstring injury that had kept her sidelined for the opening three matches of the campaign.
Shekells brings international pedigree to a midfield that has been reshuffled by absence. She was part of the Great Britain Sevens team at Paris 2024, and her return adds welcome cover in a position that has been hit hard by injury. Tatyana Heard, who started September's World Cup final in the centres alongside Meg Jones, is ruled out of the tournament with a foot injury. Versatile Helena Rowland has deputised at 12 in the victories over Ireland, Scotland and Wales — and now has another option beside her.
The picture is more complicated further back. Sadia Kabeya, who came off against Wales at Ashton Gate with a chest and shoulder muscle injury, is continuing her rehabilitation alongside the team in the hope that she can play a further part in the tournament. Fellow back-row players Alex Matthews and second row Lilli Ives Campion are also not fully fit, carrying shoulder and knee complaints respectively. Bristol teenager Demelza Short stepped off the bench against Wales and could be in line for a longer run, potentially alongside the evergreen 36-year-old Marlie Packer.
England's second-row stocks have been further stretched: Zoe Stratford, Abbie Ward and Rosie Galligan are all pregnant, and Morwenna Talling suffered a tournament-ending leg injury in the opening round. Yet despite the absences, the Red Roses head to Parma on 9 May sitting on a run of 36 consecutive Test wins and chasing an eighth successive Six Nations title. After the break weekend, they face Italy in their next match.
Further ahead, England have confirmed a fixture against Canada at 28,000-capacity BMO Field in Toronto on 16 October — the first meeting between the sides since the Red Roses won the World Cup final. They will also face Canada in Exeter the previous month as part of the new WXV Global Series.
For Shekells, the return is not just a personal milestone but a signal that depth can hold. With the winning run still intact and new faces getting their chance, England's hunt for another title continues — one reunion at a time.