THE England women’s rubgy team kick-off the defence of their RBS Six Nations title tomorrow, with Darlington Mowdon Sharks’ star Katy McLean ready to lead her side out against Wales.

The South Shields-born flyhalf was named as England’s new captain, succeeding Catherine Spencer, who stepped down recently.

McLean, 26, has already vice-captained her country, most recently at the World Cup, where England were left heartbroken by a 13-10 defeat to New Zealand in the final.

The first game sees Gary Street’s side take on a muchimproved Wales side at Keys Cross RFC tomorrow afternoon and the Red Roses will be hot favourites as they bid to win a sixth consecutive Six Nations title and defend their grand slam crown.

McLean, joined in the squad by fellow Shark Georgina Roberts, admits it is a dream come true to lead her country out at a major tournament.

“It’s a bit weird, I don’t think it’s really sunk it yet,”

she said.

“It’s an amazing honour and I’m just very excited and a bit nervous too. It will be nice to get a win in the first game.

“Catherine did an amazing job as captain for such a long time and it’s definitely a bit different to being vice-captain.

“I’ve done it a couple of times before but it’s going to be very weird. People say you’re England captain but it hasn’t sunk in yet.

“It does put a bit of pressure on but I’m much better when I’m under pressure. It is quite nice to think I want to go out and lead the girls and they’ll be relying on me to lead them.

Hopefully I can do the best job possible.”

“I had a chat with Gary Street and I didn’t think it was anything important, but he said he wanted me to be captain.

“I didn’t really expect it, there are so many other people in the team who are natural leaders with more experience than myself. It was a huge surprise but a massive honour as well.

“I had to go away and think about it. It’s not something you can take on lightly but it’s not something you can turn down either.”

England will go into the tournament as firm favourites, something McLean insists doesn’t faze the squad, but she believes her side must be wary of all their opponents, none more so than Wales.

They came within minutes of lifting the World Cup in the summer but although they were beaten by New Zealand, McLean believes the side can take a lot of positives from the experience.

“It’s something we’ve got used to, having the title of favourites, but I just think we can’t get complacent and that’s one of the strengths of the squad, we take every game as it comes,” said McLean.

“Last time we played Wales we lost, so this game especially has a lot of memories for the girls in the squad and they’ll have some scores to settle.

“We do have a point to prove from the World Cup but, looking back, New Zealand were the better team and they deserved to win.

“I don’t think we can write anyone off in the Six Nations.

Scotland beat France last year but the French are always strong and the Irish too, but a lot of teams are rebuilding.

“We just have to make sure we are fully prepared to face anyone and not look too much into who we are facing.”

England's Fixtures

February 6, Wales v England, Cross Keys RFC, KO 2.30pm

February 12, England v Italy, Esher RFC, KO 4.30pm

February 27, England v France, Worcester RFC, KO 1.05pm

March 13, England v Scotland, Twickenham Stadium, KO 5.15pm

March 18, Ireland v England, Ashbourne RFC, KO 7.30pm