England have named ahead Zoe Aldcroft as captain forward of the Ladies’s Six Nations Championship in March, with the World Cup to observe in August, the Rugby Soccer Union mentioned on Thursday.
Gloucester-Hartpury’s Aldcroft, who has received 58 caps since making her debut in 2016, beforehand captained the Purple Roses to wins over Wales and Scotland in final 12 months’s Six Nations. The 28-year-old replaces Marlie Packer as skipper.
England coach John Mitchell has picked Packer, 35, to be a vice-captain together with 28-year-old Megan Jones.
“It is an unbelievable honour to be awarded the Purple Roses captaincy. I really feel privileged to have the belief of John Mitchell and the teaching employees,” Aldcroft mentioned in a press release.
“To have the ability to observe in Marlie’s footsteps means so much to me. I’m extraordinarily grateful for the information and recommendation she has shared with me over time, and I do know I can be effectively supported by her, Meg and our complete management group.”
Mitchell mentioned unfastened ahead Packer will proceed to play a major function within the workforce.
“As with many positions, there may be intense competitors for locations within the again row and Marlie’s skill to ship large performances on the pitch must be her focus,” he mentioned.
“Making selections like that is by no means straightforward, however I consider it’s going to push us to carry out at our greatest and finally profit the Purple Roses.”
The coach mentioned he believed Aldcroft will thrive as captain.
“She leads by instance by way of her world-class actions, on and off the sphere,” he added.
England, who’ve received all of their matches since dropping the 2022 World Cup closing to New Zealand, will look to win the trophy for the third time once they host the event this 12 months.
They kick off their Six Nations marketing campaign at house to Italy on March 23.
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