Women's Six Nations 2025: Megan Jones on first England game without parents

England Women's rugby team centre, Meg Jones, says that the passing of both her parents means they will be at the Women's Six Nations match against Wales at the Principality Stadium on Saturday in "a different way". This new perspective allows her to feel their presence even more profoundly.

The 28-year-old has experienced the grief of losing both parents in a short period. Her father died of lung cancer last summer, and her mother passed away four months later. Cardiff-born Jones will be playing outside centre against Wales, marking her first appearance for the Red Roses since her parents' passing. This game holds special significance as she honors their memory on the field.

Jones, in an interview with BBC Sport's Rugby Union Weekly podcast, said: "I know there are going to be a lot of 'firsts', this week (Sunday) is the first Mother's Day and the first time I'll be wearing an England shirt without them both. It's just looking at them in a different light, I always believe that they're in the stands anyway. I can't see them anyway." She added: "At the minute I feel like they're just at home and I'll see them in a couple of weeks. They'll be cheering as they always have in the stands." She finds comfort in believing they are still present in spirit.

Jones's mother had struggled with alcohol addiction, and Jones stated that her mother's drinking "spiralled" after her father's death. The Leicester Tigers centre, who has 21 caps for her country, is now a patron for the charity, The Living Room, which helps people deal with issues her mother faced. She said: "Our goal is to help people who are struggling with drug and alcohol misuse to get out of it, because it's a really difficult journey and you need guidance to get through it. I'm so proud and privileged to be working with them." Jones is dedicated to supporting others facing similar challenges.

England head coach John Mitchell has made 13 changes to the starting XV to travel to Cardiff after the 38-5 victory over Italy in York in the opening round. Mitchell has recalled many of the players who helped the team achieve Six Nations and WXV1 success last year. Player of the Year, Ellie Kildunne, will also return to the team, having contributed nine tries and covered more than 300 meters more than any other player from fullback last year. Jones commented on Kildunne: "Ellie is that 1% in terms of thinking and seeing the game, that none of us can see. With that comes responsibility and accountability, which she is very aware of. I don't think she realises how much she has achieved in such a short space of time. She's a unique individual, a deep thinker. The way she thinks is beyond my description, her attention to detail is amazing. She's one in a million, she'll do something unexpected in the game, on and off the pitch." Jones added, "On the pitch, Ellie sometimes takes on too much pressure, I always remind her that we can help her with that, to look after her as we do with everyone else in the team." The team aims to support Kildunne and ensure she thrives.