Women's Six Nations: England have made seven changes for Sunday's game against Italy

England Women have made seven changes to the starting line-up, including two positional switches, for Sunday's Six Nations match against Italy at the Twickenham Stoop.

England, who opened their Six Nations campaign with a disappointing 13-0 defeat to Wales on Sunday, welcome back World Cup-winning fly-half Katy Mclean with Ceri Large moving to inside-centre.

Mclean, who missed the Wales match while playing for England Sevens in the World Series, has been named as vice-captain with Tamara Taylor staying on as skipper.

Worcester scrum-half Bianca Blackburn will start her first game for England, with La Toya Mason ruled out through injury, along with lock Abbie Scott who is given the nod ahead of Rowena Burnfield.

World Cup winner Victoria Fleetwood will also start with Emma Croker unavailable through injury, which opens the door for Lichfield hooker Amy Cokayne to make her England debut off the bench.

In the back row, Richmond's Alex Matthews moves to blindside flanker with Harriet Millar-Mills starting at No 8, while on the bench Fiona Davidson and Sarah McKenna are also called up.

Interim head coach Nicola Ponsford said: "There are a number of changes to the starting line-up and that is because of a handful of players putting their hands up for selection after good starts from the bench against Wales or because of injuries.

'Injuries'

"With Katy Mclean starting, she will bring experience and solidity to the midfield which will allow us to control the game better than we did last week.

"There was always an intention to bring Katy back for this game if she was fit as we have less strength in depth in this area because of current injuries.

"Although we were hugely disappointed with the defeat against Wales, there were positives too. We certainly know the areas we need to improve on, like being more clinical, and sticking to the game plan. We have also looked carefully at the breakdown and we will improve on that area. 

"For a team who has had little opportunity to train together though, they worked hard and stayed connected and while Wales won the game, it was a hard battle for both sides.

"We won't be expecting anything different this weekend either. Italy always keep going for the full 80 minutes. They work very hard and they are a very physical side at the breakdown where they will try and disrupt our play.” 

England team: Kay Wilson (Thurrock), Ruth Laybourn (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Abigail Brown (Bristol), Ceri Large (Worcester), Sydney Gregson (Bristol), Katy Mclean (VC) (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Bianca Blackburn (Worcester), Rochelle Clark (Worcester), Victoria Fleetwood (Saracens), Laura Keates (Worcester), Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) (C), Abbie Scott (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Aexandra Matthews (Richmond), Hannah Gallagher (Saracens), Harriet Millar-Mills(Waterloo).

Replacements: Amy Cokayne (Lichfield), Victoria Cornborough (Richmond), Justine Lucas (Lichfield), Rowena Burnfield (Richmond), Hannah Field (Richmond), Fiona Davidson (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Megan Goddard (Worcester), Sarah McKenna (Saracens)