Erin King returns to captain Ireland against England in Six Nations
Erin King will make her first international appearance in a year as she captains Ireland in Saturday’s Six Nations opener against England.
The 22-year-old flanker has been sidelined since sustaining a knee injury during a defeat by the Red Roses in the 2025 tournament.
That severe setback forced the newly appointed skipper to miss last year’s Rugby World Cup entirely.
She now returns to lead her country into the 2026 edition against an English side chasing an unprecedented eighth consecutive title.
Perry makes debut and Wafer returns
Former England prop Ellena Perry is set to make her Irish Six Nations debut this weekend.
The front-row forward switched her international allegiances ahead of the recent global tournament.
Elsewhere in the back row, the returning captain is joined by Brittany Hogan and the dynamic Aoife Wafer.
Wafer was crowned the Six Nations Player of the Championship in 2025 but has also endured a frustratingly injury-hit year.
Ireland starting XV and replacements
The starting lineup features a blend of established talent and returning stars as the visitors aim to disrupt the defending champions.
- Stacey Flood
- Beibhinn Parsons
- Aoife Dalton
- Eve Higgins
- Vicky Elmes Kinlan
- Dannah O’Brien
- Emily Lane
- Ellena Perry
- Cliodhna Moloney-Macdonald
- Linda Djougang
- Dorothy Wall
- Fiona Tuite
- Brittany Hogan
- Erin King (captain)
- Aoife Wafer
Replacements: Neve Jones, Niamh O’Dowd, Eilis Cahill, Ruth Campbell, Grace Moore, Katie Whelan, Nancy McGillivray, Anna McGann.
