England Women's Squad for Autumn Internationals 2012

England Women’s Squad for France clash

Sarah Hunter to captain England against France

Lichfield’s Sarah Hunter will captain England for this match, while Danielle Waterman is named as vice-captain.

Heather Fisher, Rowena Burnfield, Alice Richardson and Rochelle Clark are the other experienced names that spearhead this squad with the six players sharing 238 caps between them.

At the same time Street has named a largely young squad as he looks to give several Elite Playing Squad (EPS) members a run-out before the three test match series against world champions New Zealand next month.

Bristol centre Amber Reed is set to make her debut, whilst the likes of Kate Newton, Emily Braund, Ruth Laybourn, Fiona Davidson and Sally Tuson will be looking to build on the handful of caps they earned at last season’s European Cup.

Heather Fisher, Jane Leonard, Claire Allan and Francesca Matthews also all return to XVs action after lengthy injury lay-offs and will be looking to make a big impression against France ahead of the series against the Black Ferns.

Street said: “This is very much an experimental squad though we still have a vast array of experience in a handful of players.

“Playing France is always tough so this is a great chance to test the mental strength of the younger players in a big game environment as we lead into the excitement of the New Zealand series. This squad has certainly been selected with one eye on playing the world champions.

“At the same time, playing France is also an opportunity to give game time to several players who are returning to XVs rugby after a long period out with injuries. Although the likes of Heather Fisher and Jane Leonard have been playing international sevens, they have not played XVs for quite some time so it’s great to have them back in the fold. Both are physical, powerful and exciting players that will bring a lot of impact, alongside Sarah Hunter, in our backrow.”

England last played France in the European Cup final in May and the young side took a 29-25 victory. With England and France evenly matched with two wins each from last season, November’s test match is set to be a thriller.

Street added: “We relish playing France – it is always a massive match – and I am sure after their European Cup defeat they’ll be smarting. They will come over here determined to put one over us on our turf, so this match will be a great challenge against one of our closest rivals.”

England

Claire Allan   (Richmond)

Emily  Braund           (Lichfield)

Rowena         Burnfield       (Richmond)

Rochelle        Clark   (Worcester)

Emma Croker            (Richmond)

Rosemarie     Crowley         (Lichfield)

Fiona  Davidson       (Richmond)

Heather          Fisher (Worcester)

Victoria           Fleetwood     (Lichfield)

Natasha         Hunt   (Lichfield)

Sarah Hunter (C)     (Lichfield)

Laura  Keates            (Worcester)

Ceri     Large  (Worcester)

Ruth   Laybourn       (Darlington)

Jane   Leonard         (Wasps)

Francesca     Matthews       (Richmond)

Harriet            Millar-Mills     (Lichfield)

Kate    Newton          (Bristol)

Isabelle          Noel-Smith    (Bristol)

Amber            Reed  (Bristol)

Alice   Richardson   (Richmond)

Sally   Tuson (Bristol)

Danielle         Waterman (VC)        (Worcester)

England Women Autumn International Series:

Nov 3, 2012 - England v France - Esher RFC - KO 6pm

Nov 23, 2012 - England v New Zealand - Esher RFC - KO 730pm

Nov 27, 2012 - England v New Zealand - Aldershot Army Rugby Stadium - KO 730pm

Dec 1, 2012 - England v New Zealand - Twickenham Stadium - KO 5pm (Live on Sky Sports 1HD)

Tickets for England’s Autumn International Series are available through www.ticketmaster.co.uk, priced at £10 for adults and £5 for Under 16s. This excludes the England v New Zealand game at Twickenham on December 1st as there is free entry to the stadium.