England Women's Team Announced to face Italy 15/2/11


By RFU Press Office
February 9 2011

England Women’s Head Coach Gary Street has made a raft of changes for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Italy at Esher RFC, kick off 430pm.

England Women’s team announced for Italy RBS 6 Nations clash

Street has made six changes to the team that defeated Wales 19-0 in the Six Nations opener last weekend. Wasps prop Claire Purdy returns to the starting line-up for her first game since September’s Rugby World Cup final, while Emma Croker is also given the nod to start at hooker and Rochelle Clark moves to tight head prop.

Richmond lock Rowena Burnfield gets her first Six Nations start this season as does Worcester’s Heather Fisher, while Lichfield’s Sarah Hunter moves to Number 8.

 

Street said: “As always we want to give our squad as much game time as possible and this is an opportunity for us to do that. We have a strong squad, but we need to give them time on the pitch to prove what they can do. I am also pleased that we can welcome back Claire Purdy as she is raring to go.”

England ran in three tries against Wales on Sunday and kept Wales to nil, but Street, who admitted his side were a little rusty, is definitely looking for an improvement this weekend.

He added: “Italy are an ever improving side and they had a good result against Ireland last weekend, staying close at half time. They are always a tough gritty side and that is why we must make the step up on Saturday. I am looking for a real improvement, including in our attacking game and the quality of ball from the breakdown.”

England  

15        Danielle         Waterman     Worcester

14        Katherine      Merchant       Worcester

13        Emily  Scarratt          Lichfield

12        Kimberley      Oliver  Bristol

11        Francesca     Matthews       Richmond

10        Katy    McLean (C)   Darlington Mowden Park Sharks

9          La Toya          Mason            Wasps

1          ClairePurdyWasps

2          Emma            Croker            Richmond

3          Rochelle        Clark   Worcester

4          Joanna          McGilchrist    Wasps

5          Rowena         Burnfield       Richmond

6          Heather          FisherWorcester

7          Margaret        Alphonsi        Saracens

8          SarahHunter            Lichfield

Replacements:

16        Amy    Garnett           Saracens

17        Sophie           Hemming      Bristol

18        Rebecca        EssexRichmond

19        Catherine      Spencer         Bristol

20        Georgina       Rozario          Lichfield

21        Rachael         Burford           Richmond

22        Georgina       Roberts          Darlington Mowden Park Sharks

England’s RBS 6 Nations Fixtures

Wales v England     Feb 6              Cross Keys RFC                              WON 0-19

England v Italy         Feb 12            Esher RFC                            KO 430pm

*England v France Feb 27            Worcester RFC                     KO 105pm

** England v Scotland         March 13       Twickenham Stadium         KO 515pm

Ireland v England    March 18       Ashbourne RFC                  KO 730pm

* Live on Sky Sports

**Free entry to Twickenham Stadium after men’s Calcutta Cup clash

England Women's Team Announced to face Italy 15/2/11
Posted by: Unofficial England Rugby Union (IP Logged)
Date: 09/02/2011 09:35

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