Eng Women's Team announced to face Italy on 7/2/09
By Kath 2/2/09
February 2 2009
England Women's Head Coach Gary Street has announced his starting line-up for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations opener against Italy at London Welsh RFC, kick-off 130pm. The 22 includes an exciting mixture of youth and experience, with the team hoping to kick start England's defence of their triple grand slam crown on a winning note.
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England Women's Team Announced for RBS Six Nations Opener against Italy
The 22 includes an exciting mixture of youth and experience, with the
team hoping to kick start England's defence of their triple grand slam
crown on a winning note.
Bristol's No. 8 Catherine Spencer- Captain
Catherine Spencer will lead England for her second season, with
Darlington Mowden Park Sharks fly-half Katy McLean named as
vice-captain. Richmond's Becky Essex starts for her second cap, while
at the other end of the scale Saracens hooker Amy Garnett will run out
for her 71st cap.
England last played Italy in the RBS 6 Nations last season and ran out
convincing 76-6 winners.
Street said: "Last year we beat
Italy rather convincingly, but I think Italy caught us on a really
good day. We know that they can be much more competitive as after our
win last season they went on to have a much more competitive campaign
and picked up their first ever six nations victory against Scotland.
They also gave us a really tough game at Twickenham two years ago, so
we certainly won't be taking them lightly."
The pressure is on England this season as they bid to secure an
unprecedented fourth consecutive six nations crown, but Street is
adamant this won't affect his side.
He added: "The
pressure is always on us; we are the team everyone wants to beat but
we don't mind. We thrive on pressure. From our perspective, we will
treat this campaign no differently to any other
season and hopefully our performances on the pitch will do the
talking."
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