Erin King is set to make her international comeback after a year-long absence, captaining Ireland in their Women's Six Nations opener against England this Saturday.
King, 22, missed last year's Rugby World Cup due to a knee injury sustained during Ireland's 2025 Six Nations defeat to England. Now fully recovered, she has been appointed captain for the 2026 tournament and will start at flanker in a highly anticipated clash against the reigning champions, who are aiming for their eighth consecutive Six Nations title.
"It's an incredible honor to lead the team again, especially after such a challenging year," King said in a statement. "We're ready to give everything against England."
Head coach Scott Bemand has named a strong lineup featuring two potential debutants on the bench: prop Eilís Cahill and scrum-half Katie Whelan. The back row sees King joined by Brittany Hogan and Aoife Wafer, the 2025 Six Nations Player of the Championship who also faced injury setbacks last season.
Notably, former England prop Ellena Perry will make her Six Nations debut for Ireland after switching allegiances ahead of the World Cup. Hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald will earn her 50th Test cap, forming the front row with Perry and Linda Djougang.
The half-back partnership will consist of Emily Lane and Dannah O'Brien, with Eve Higgins and Aoife Dalton reuniting in the centres. The back three features Vicky Elmes Kinlan on the left wing, alongside Beibhinn Parsons and Stacey Flood.
Ireland Starting XV: 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 (capt), Aoife Wafer.
Replacements: Neve Jones, Niamh O'Dowd, Eilis Cahill, Ruth Campbell, Grace Moore, Katie Whelan, Nancy McGillivray, Anna McGann.
The match kicks off at 2:15 PM local time at Twickenham Stadium, marking the beginning of what promises to be a fiercely competitive Six Nations campaign for both sides.