England Women's Team for France
Captain Catherin Spencer
By KATH 18/2
February 18 2008
The England Women’s team to take on France in the RBS 6 Nations championship this Saturday in Bergerac, kick off 3pm GMT, has today (Monday) been announced. Blaydon prop Katy Storie, Wasps lock Joanna McGilchrist and Darlington Mowden Park Sharks fly-half Katy McLean all return to the starting line-up
England Women's team to face France announced
The England Women's team to take on France in the RBS 6 Nations championship this Saturday in Bergerac, kick off 3pm GMT.
Blaydon prop Katy Storie, Wasps lock Joanna McGilchrist and Darlington Mowden Park Sharks fly-half Katy McLean all return to the starting line-up while Richmond duo Emma Layland, returning from England A action, and Karen Jones start on the bench. Jones replaces Wasps and Army player Jane Leonard.
England Head Coach Gary Street said: "This is a very strong 22 for what is going to be a tough game against France. France have named their strongest starting XV for the game and, as we are playing away from home, we realise this is going to be a very challenging fixture.
"France at home are always at their strongest and taking into consideration the six nations title has been shared between France and England since 2000 this could well be a crunch game for us.
"From what we have seen of France so far this season they have been experimenting a lot with their side, playing nine new caps in their win against Scotland, but I am sure they will be at their best against us.
"For us, we have made a really pleasing start to the championship, but we are our biggest critics and we still want to improve and we will need to do that playing away to France."
Reigning RBS 6 Nations champions England last played France in the six nations championship a year ago and won 38-12.
England
1 Rochelle Clark (Henley)
2 Amy Garnett (Saracens)
3 Katy Storie (Blaydon)
4 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
5 Joanna McGilchrist (Wasps)
6 Sarah Hunter (Lichfield)
7 Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens)
8 Catherine Spencer (C) (Worcester)
9 Amy Turner (Richmond)
10 Katy McLean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
11 Danielle Waterman (Clifton)
12 Rachael Burford (Saracens)
13 Claire Allan (Saracens)
14 Michaela Staniford (Wasps)
15 Charlotte Barras (Saracens)
Replacements:
16 Emma Layland (Richmond)
17 Sophie Hemming (Clifton)
18 Sarah Beale (Leos)
19 Karen Jones (Richmond)
20 Alice Richardson (Richmond)
21 Katherine Merchant (Worcester)
22 Victoria Massarella (Saracens)
Head Coach Gary Street
Assistant Coach Graham Smith
England Women’s captain Catherine Spencer says the reigning RBS 6 Nations champions are up for the French challenge this Saturday, a match which could well prove to be the crunch game of the 2008 Six Nations championship.
Spencer’s side go into the game on the back of two convincing wins over Wales and Italy, but past results in the Six Nations championship have frequently proved the England versus France clash to be the tournament decider.
The Worcester No. 8 said: “I have experienced the joy of winning against France but I have also been part of a team that lost twice to France back in 2004 and 2005. Like the men they are a very tough side but you are never quite sure what to expect.
“What I do know, however, is that they will be out for revenge for the last three games in which we have beaten them; twice in the Six Nations and once at the world cup. France are a very proud rugby nation and they will not want to lose to the English for a fourth time.
“However, both as captain and as a player I am really pleased with the start we have made to our Six Nations campaign with convincing wins over both Wales and Italy. We have good momentum going into the France game and I am confident we can continue our winning ways.”
Like England, France have been blooding several new players this season and they too have managed to hold their own, picking up wins against Scotland (15-43) and Ireland (26-17).
Spencer added: “The French team is similar to us in that they have some new names making their mark in this Six Nations but they also have a wealth of experience in their side. They have very mobile forwards so as a pack we are going to have to aim to assert our dominance right from the whistle.
“Playing against France is always tough but playing against France in France is tougher. I am sure they will have a lot of support present hoping to see Le Blues regain their Six Nations prowess. However if we take to the pitch with composure and the confidence to play our style of rugby then I am sure we can come home with the victory. As captain it will be, without doubt, my hardest fixture to date but I will be informing the girls that the best noise on a French rugby pitch is the quiet from the French supporters.”