Women's Six Nations: England's Natasha Hunt returns against Italy

Natasha Hunt represented Great Britain in sevens at the Tokyo Olympics last year

Scrum-half Natasha Hunt will make her first England appearance since November 2020 in Sunday's Women's Six Nations game in Italy.

Hunt "stepped back" from international rugby in 2021 because she was unhappy in the England camp.

The 33-year-old can now fight for a place in October's World Cup squad, with head coach Simon Middleton making 11 changes from the win over Scotland.

Zoe Harrison starts at fly-half as Helena Rowland moves to 12.

Holly Aitchison is at outside centre, while Emily Scarratt, who made a strong return from injury against Scotland, is pushed to the bench.

Number eight Poppy Cleall will captain England for the second time as regular skipper Sarah Hunter is also among the replacements.

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England are top of the table after one round and are seeking a fourth successive title as well as their 20th win in a row.

Although Italy showed spirit in an opening defeat by France, England are expected to be untroubled by an Azzurre side they have beaten in all of their 21 previous meetings.

That is perhaps why Middleton feels comfortable to make such sweeping changes as Lydia Thompson and Sarah McKenna start on the wing.

Props Vickii Cornborough and Shaunagh Brown come into the front row, while Alex Matthews and Sadia Kabeya are the starting flankers

Such is England's squad depth that last weekend's player of the match Marlie Packer drops out of the matchday 23.

Wing Jess Breach was unavailable for selection after testing positive for Covid-19.

For Italy, there are just three changes to the side that lost 39-6 to France in the opening round.

Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi starts at full-back, pushing the more experienced Manuela Furlan to the bench.

After an impressive performance at fly-half against France, Beatrice Rigoni moves to inside centre and Veronica Madia takes the 10 shirt.

Hunt 'finding her voice' after return

Hunt has been in impressive form for club Gloucester-Hartpury and, after hearing a clip of Middleton telling journalists he would be happy to see her return, sent the head coach a text to say she was ready.

Middleton said she is "finding her voice" in camp again, adding: "After finding her feet, she is just throwing things in in meetings to add some value.

"This game in particular will really suit her. We're developing a game where we play with plenty of tempo.

"She will bring that - that's her game. She has brought a lot of pace into training so she'll be perfect for us."

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Line-ups

Italy: Ostuni Minuzzi; Muzzo, Sillari, Rigoni, Magatti; Madia, Stefan; Maris, Bettoni, Gai, Tuonesi, Duca, Sberna, Locatelli, Giordano (capt).

Replacements: Vecchini, Seye, Veronese, D'Inca, Barro, Fedrighi, Barattin, Furlan.

England: Kildunne; Thompson, Aitchison, Rowland, McKenna; Harrison, Hunt; Cornborough, Davies, Brown, Galligan, Ward, Matthews, Kabeya, P Cleall (capt).

Replacements: Powell, Muir, Bern, Hunter, Fleetwood, L Packer, Scarratt, Sing.

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