Another Red Roses stalwart ruled out of remaining Six Nations fixtures

Two-time Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Alex Matthews will miss the remainder of the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations with a shoulder injury.

The 32-year-old Gloucester Hartpury back-row sustained the injury in England’s 33-12 win over Ireland in Round 1 of this year’s Championship. It has been confirmed that the No.8 will need to have surgery.

England confirmed that Matthews will miss the remainder of the tournament upon announcing their Round 4 match day squad that will taken on Italy this weekend in Parma.

It was also revealed that Lilli Ives Campion [knee] and Sadia Kabeya [shoulder] have remained in camp as they continue rehabilitation from their injuries.

So far 2026 has been injury ravaged for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup winners.

Against Ireland in Round 1, Natasha Hunt and Morwenna Talling sustained knee injuries that head coach John Mitchell immediately confirmed would keep them out for significant periods of time.

The injury curse continued as Hannah Botterman and May Campbell were both ruled out of the tournament in the lead-up to England’s Round 2 clash with Scotland at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

This run of bad luck has not hindered England’s performances on the pitch. After three matches the Red Roses are top of the Women’s Six Nations table after bonus point wins over Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

England are also without Zoe Stratford, Abbie Ward, Lark Atkin-Davies and Rosie Galligan, who are all away with pregnancies.

Issues at lock forward have meant Bristol Bears forward Delaney Burns was recalled to the international set-up and won her first cap in three years against Wales.

For the Round 4 clash in Parma, Mitchell has made six changes to his starting XV as Kelsey Clifford, Maud Muir, Demelza Short, Zoe Harrison, Mia Venner and Emma Sing have all been handed starting roles.

There is also a place for 21-year-old Trailfinders Women No.8, Haidee Head, who has impressed in Premiership Women’s Rugby since her arrival from the Queensland Reds.