Liz Crake, a dentist and lecturer, has been named on the bench for England's grand slam decider against France on Sunday, stepping in after Kelsey Clifford was ruled out with an injury. Crake, who has two caps, was called into the squad following Hannah Botterman's ankle issue that ruled her out of the entire Six Nations. Second-choice loosehead prop Clifford picked up a leg injury against Italy last weekend, leading to Mackenzie Carson starting. Head coach John Mitchell, who has had to make 20 player changes across the tournament due to pregnancy and injuries, is testing his side's depth.
Crake's Dual Career
Crake, 31, had a contract with England in the 2024-25 season but has returned to dentistry for this campaign. She is not the only part-time professional player in the Red Roses squad during this Six Nations. Christiana Balogun, a recruitment consultant, came off the bench against Italy due to an injury to Maddie Feaunati. The Rugby Football Union has 32 full-time contracts for Red Roses players; those not contracted are paid for camp days and matchday fees.
Captain's Perspective
Captain Meg Jones praised the resilience of players like Crake and Balogun. "The players are full of resilience, the way they are able to come in and switch on and switch off based on their other circumstances. It's definitely probably one of those things that you take for granted when you've been in it for so long," she said. Jones added that despite the challenges, there is no noticeable difference in performance. "They understand when you come in, you're switched on and this is the game at hand."
Team Boost
England received a boost before the match, with Sadia Kabeya, Lilli Ives Campion, and Feaunati returning from injury as three of seven changes Mitchell made to the starting XV. Kabeya starts at openside flanker, moving Marlie Packer to the bench despite being the tournament's top try scorer with seven. Feaunati is at No. 8, and Campion slots back in at lock. Sarah Bern starts in the front row, with Maud Muir on the bench. In the back line, Jess Breach and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald return as the wing pairing, with Ellie Kildunne shifting to full-back.
The Red Roses will win their eighth Six Nations title in succession if they beat France in Bordeaux.
