But head coach Gary Street has rung the changes with 17 players including captain Katy McLean, Marlie Packer and Heather Fisher all left out of his squad with one eye on the Sevens World Cup in June.

Another who will be missing is Maggie Alphonsi, and Gallagher will fill her vastly experienced Saracens team-mate’s spot in the starting line-up against Scotland.

The entire backline who were part of the England side that whitewashed World Cup holders New Zealand last autumn will also be absent.

England begin their title defence on Saturday when they host Scotland at Esher Rugby Club in Surrey and Gallagher – who played four times in England’s RBS 6 Nations title-winning campaign last season – is ready and raring to go again.

“We will take one game at a time but we want to win it [the Six Nations]. We want to win all the games,” said the 21-year-old.

“The confidence is high after the autumn international series when we beat New Zealand [3-0].

“Scotland are a very physical side and will try and disrupt us but we just have to concentrate on our game.

“The publicity for the Six Nations has been good and hopefully we can get a good crowd.

“I am very excited and it will be a hard game. I expect the ground to be soft but we can adapt to whatever the weather throws at us. We have a great forwards pack and a great backs line.

“Maggie and I are good friends. She has helped me with tips and encouraged me.

“I feel I have a lot more experience now of international rugby and understanding of what is needed.”

Ireland, who finished third in last season’s RBS 6 Nations, will line up against Wales with their most capped player Lynne Cantwell starting at out-half, partnered by Larissa Muldoon.

Grace Davitt and Jenny Murphy combine for a new-look centre partnership with Niamh Briggs at full-back and Niamh Kavanagh and Alison Miller on the wings.

Captain Fiona Coghlan will be joined up front by Gillian Bourke and Ailis Egan.

For Wales, No.8 Rachel Taylor will lead the side out at Aberavon in her second campaign with the captain’s armband.

Catrin Edwards, Gemma Hallett and Catrina Nicholas all return to the starting line-up after missing last year’s RBS 6 Nations.

France come into their game against Italy after two successful Tests in the USA in the autumn and with no Sevens concerns ensuring they are at full strength.

Les Bleues will be looking for their first RBS 6 Nations title since 2005 after finishing as runners-up for the last three seasons

Italy are looking to build on their first ever win over Spain last year as they continue to bid to qualify for the 2014 World Cup.