Women's Six Nations 2024: England call up Emily Scarratt and Zoe Harrison in 35-woman squad

Emily Scarratt and Zoe Harrison have returned from long-term injuries to make England's Women's Six Nations squad.

Bristol player Abbey Ward also returns to international duty for the first time since the 2022 World Cup final after giving birth to her daughter.

The 35-player squad includes non-capped international trio Maddy Fionati and Lizzie Hanlon from Exeter Chiefs, and Vicky Loughlin from Trailfinders.

Poppy Cleall is also included although he is currently suspended for two matches.

Red Roses manager John Mitchell says Kalil will always be selected but she has put herself in a “more difficult position amongst the competition” and is now unavailable for selection for the opener in Italy on Sunday 24 March.

Mitchell also explained why she was dropped from a training camp earlier this year, saying: “Bobby was asked to change some behaviors in her game.

“She obviously has a lot of experience, she has played the game in a certain way that has brought her success but we want to be quicker in what we do and we want more entries.

“What I loved about the way Bobbi went about it was that she worked hard on the transition in that area. We supported her return as a result.”

Meanwhile, Kalil's Saracens team-mate Sydney Gregson could make her first England appearance in nine years after winning her last cap in 2015.

Backrower Vionati, who is eligible for England, Samoa and New Zealand, has earned his first call-up after impressing for the Chiefs and catching the eye of Red Roses coach Sarah Hunter.

Mitchell said the 21-year-old is “young and athletic” and her selection was an important consideration with some of the “aging back rowers” in his team.

England are defending their Grand Slam title in the Six Nations, with Mitchell insisting the Red Roses “need to play faster” in the hope his side can “create more pressure on the opposition”.

Marley Packer will continue as England captain, while Ward and Scarratt, who previously served as vice-captains, will focus on their return to action.

Zoe Aldcroft, Lark Atkin-Davies, Sarah Beckett, Hannah Putterman, Mackenzie Carson, Poppy Cleal, Kelsey Clifford, Amy Cockayne, Maddy Fionati, Rosie Galligan, Lizzie Hanlon, Sadia Kapia, Alex Matthews, Maud Muir, Cath O'Donnell, Marley Packer (captain ), Connie Powell, Morwenna Talling, Abby Ward.

Holly Aitchison, Sophie Bridger, Jess Breech, Abby Dow, Sydney Gregson, Zoe Harrison, Tatiana Heard, Natasha Hunt, Megan Jones, Ellie Kildon, Vicky Loughlin, Lucy Packer, Helena Rowland, Emily Scarratt, Emma Singh, Ella Wierwas.