New England captain Meg Jones promises ‘authentic’ leadership in Women’s Six Nations
Jones has been installed as skipper with Zoe Stratford expecting her first child
New England captain Meg Jones has insisted she will not change as skipper of the Red Roses as she prepares to lead the side in the Women’s Six Nations. Jones, nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year after a starring role in England’s run to World Cup glory in September, has been installed as leader of John Mitchell ’s squad with regular skipper Zoe Stratford (nee Aldcroft) expecting her first child. The Cardiff-born centre has long been a key leader within the squad, and steps up with the Red Roses looking to win their eighth Six Nations title in a row.
While admitting that she did not necessarily fit the mould of a traditional captain, Jones hopes to bring her energy to the role. “I’m pretty crazy, impulsive, all the characteristics you probably wouldn't want,” Jones said at the Women’s Six Nations launch. “ I'm authentic, I'm me, I'm Meg, “I have high standards for myself, I have high integrity, I live by the sword, die by the sword.
I'd do anything for the team, I'd do anything for them to win, to feel themselves and keep pushing us in the right direction. ” Jones will have a relatively fresh-looking squad to lead, with seven uncapped players named in Mitchell’s group for the tournament and plenty more looking to earn greater opportunities in a World Cup cycle. Meg Jones has promised to lead authentically (PA Wire) England hope to extend their 33-match winning run across the campaign, though some rotation is likely as the coaching staff explore new combinations and look to take their game further.
Full-back Emma Sing, for example, is being considered as a possible option in the centres over the next few years, while chances could come for several Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) standouts like Bristol forward Demelza Short. “It's definitely a conscious effort for how we're going to integrate new players into the group, butthe bottom line is they're good rugby players and they are there for a reason, so we're going to definitely embody that,” Jones explained. “Everyone knows when they come into the environment, this is a world-class environment.