England Women Nations Cup Squad 2011
Garry Street
By RFU Press Office
July 29 2011
The Nations Cup for England’s Women kicks off next week and England Head Coach Gary Street says the reigning champions are ready for their next challenge.
| England Women ready to take on Nations Cup rivals | ||||
Street, whose side finished second in the 2010 Rugby World Cup and scooped the RBS 6 Nations title for a sixth successive season this term, is looking to blood several new players in the Nations Cup which takes place in Oakville, Ontario, Canada from August 2nd – 13th. Street has six new recruits in his 26-player squad, with Jenny Brightmore most recently called up to replace the injured Heather Fisher. Victoria Fleetwood, Natasha Hunt, Sarah McKenna, Kay Wilson and Laura Keates are also all set to earn their first England caps in this tournament which sees England take on Canada, the USA and South Africa. Experienced Wasps player Michaela Staniford has also been called up to the squad this week following an injury to Georgina Roberts. “This is an important opportunity to blood several new, young players who have got great potential,” said Street. “This is also a real chance to have a look at new combinations and work on new strategies as we look to build on last season and raise the bar. “This is going to be a tough tournament and I am expecting all three of our rivals to have upped their game since we last met. Canada have had a cracking 7s programme and a lot of their Sevens players are going to be involved in this tournament. It is always tough playing America who are a tough and physical side. South Africa are ever improving and they have a very talented head coach so I am sure they’ll be tough opposition.” Saracens hooker Amy Garnett could also be set to reach a milestone in this tournament. England’s most capped player of all time currently has 96 caps and if she plays in all four games she will make her 100th appearance for England. England kick off their Nations Cup campaign against the USA on August 2nd, kick off 1130pm BST. Match action is available at www.womensnationscup.com England Nations Cup Squad Claire Allan (Richmond) Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens) Jennifer Brightmore (Worcester) Rowena Burnfield (Richmond) Rochelle Clark (Worcester) Rebecca Essex (Richmond) Amy Garnett (Saracens) VictoriaFleetwood (Lichfield) Sophie Hemming (Bristol) Natasha Hunt (Lichfield) Sarah Hunter (Lichfield) Laura Keates (Worcester) Jane Leonard (Wasps) La ToyaMason (Wasps) Francesca Matthews (Richmond) Joanna McGilchrist (Wasps) Sarah McKenna (Old Albanians) Katy McLean (Darlington Mowden Park) (C) Katherine Merchant (Worcester) Claire Purdy (Wasps) Alice Richardson (Richmond) Emily Scarratt (Lichfield) Michaela Staniford (Wasps) Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park) Danielle Waterman (Worcester) Kay Wilson (Richmond) England Nations Cup playing schedule (Appleby College, Ontario): August 2nd USA v England KO 1130pm BST August 5th South Africa v England KO 930pm BST August 9th Canada v England KO 1130pm August 13th Finals Day KO TBC |
