England's winger hunt: who will fill dow's boots?

The Red Roses face a familiar problem, albeit one cloaked in an unexpected guise: replacing a legend. Abby Dow’s retirement after the Rugby World Cup has left a gaping try-scoring void in the world champions’ squad as they embark on their quest for an eighth consecutive Women’s Six Nations title. While the musical allusion to 'The Sound of Music' might seem whimsical, the challenge for John Mitchell is anything but.

A depth of options, a test of balance

Dow, with her blistering pace and 50 tries in 59 caps, set a high bar. But Mitchell isn't facing a scarcity of talent; he's grappling with an abundance. Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, Jess Breach, Millie David, Bo Westcombe-Evans, and Mia Venner all present compelling cases. The crux of the matter isn’t whether there are contenders, but rather which blend of skills Mitchell deems optimal for the back three.

Breach, a consistent starter under Mitchell since 2023, appears likely to retain her spot. Moloney-MacDonald, a vital member of the World Cup-winning team and boasting 21 tries in 36 caps, is a strong contender on the opposite wing. Her physicality, both in attack and defense, makes her a potent force.

Then there's Millie David, a name buzzing around the Premiership Women’s Rugby circuit. Nicknamed