Trained firefighter Shaunagh Brown ready to deliver hammer blow to Italy Women’s Six Nations hopes on England return
TRAINED firefighter Shaunagh Brown is ready to deliver a hammer blow to Italy’s TikTok Women’s Six Nations hopes on her England return.
The Red Roses prop, 32, hurled the hammer for England at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and is back in Simon Middleton’s starting line-up after not featuring in the 57-5 win away in Scotland in Round 1.
Middleton explained the Harlequins ace has been picking the brains of club coach and Wales legend Adam Jones - who bagged three Grand Slams as a player - as she bids to improve her scrummaging to nail down a spot in England’s ultra-competitive side.
Middleton said: “After the autumn I sat down with Shaunagh and went through her game, she knew exactly the things she needed to work on.
"She’s gone away and worked on them really well. She has put in a lot of time with Adam Jones at the club.
"She’s definitely developed her scrummaging which was one of the real work-ons and she’s trained outstandingly well.
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“One thing you are going to get from Shaunagh every time she trains is absolute commitment.
"She has been very noticeable all around the field, particularly over the last week and we felt she was ready for a start.”
In Brown’s absence, England ran in nine tries to overpower the Auld Enemy to get the defence of their title off to a convincing start in Edinburgh.
The Red Roses are hunting a fourth straight TikTok Women’s Six Nations crown and a victorious performance in Parma, where England won 67-3 last year, will extend their staggering unbeaten run to 20 games.
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Italy went down 39-6 to England’s biggest rivals France last week but the Azzurre are set to provide strong opposition in Round 2 with Middleton making nine changes for the clash.
He added: “As a squad we are really familiar with Italy, in terms of what a threat they can be.
“If you give them too much time on the ball, they will keep the ball really well.
"They can move the ball really well, they have good skills across their backline, they have real unpredictability about them.
"So it’s a case of expecting the unexpected when we take on Italy.”
- The TikTok Women’s Six Nations is more accessible than ever before. To find out how you can watch the Women’s Championship visit:
