England Women's team named to face New Zealand 23/11

England Women’s Team to face New Zealand 

Katy McLean to lead England against New Zealand

England, who will also play the Black Ferns on November 27^th at Aldershot Army Rugby Stadium and December 1^st at Twickenham Stadium, will be led by Darlington Mowden Park Sharks fly half Katy McLean and vice-captain Sarah Hunter.

England welcome back several experienced names for this match, including Katherine Merchant, Emily Scarratt, Marlie Packer and Michaela Staniford who are all named in the starting line-up.

The return of Merchant, Scarratt, Staniford and McLean, who were all rested for England’s 23-13 victory over France earlier this month, provides England with a well-established backline as they join the experienced duo of Alice Richardson and Danielle Waterman. All six players featured in the 2010 RWC while scrum-half Natasha Hunt has become a regular starter in the number nine jersey for England over the last year.

“We have got three tough games to get through over the next eight days and I have got to put out a strong side for each occasion and that is what I am doing from the outset,” said Street. “It’s great to be able to welcome back some seasoned campaigners who I think are world class players. We made the decision to rest certain squad members against France so I expect them to now come back into the fold and bring pace, power and energy to the team.”

In the pack, there are caps a plenty with Rochelle Clark spearheading a talented front-row and Tamara Taylor and Rowena Burnfield starting in the second-row. Packer, Heather Fisher and Sarah Hunter make-up what Street hopes will be an explosive and powerful backrow unit.

On the bench, Bristol prop Sophie Hemming returns to action and she shares over 150 caps with the likes of Emma Croker, Georgina Gulliver and Rosemarie Crowley amongst others. There could also be a start for sister combination Alexandra and Francesca Matthews who have never played international XVs together before.

“The great thing about the England programme is that we have got great strength and depth in our squad now and you can see that from our bench,” added Street. “For us it is invaluable when you are taking on a side as good as New Zealand that you can bring on players with this sort of experience.”

England last played New Zealand 12 months ago and England bounced back from their 2010 World Cup heartache to defeat the Black Ferns twice. The two sides then drew the final clash. It was a historic series for England as they became the first side ever to nil the world champions and inflict two consecutive defeats on them.

Street added: “Playing New Zealand over this series last year was definitely the highlight of our season. To try and be the best we have to play the best regularly, and even though we think we have moved on as a squad from 12 months ago, we know that the Black Ferns will be more motivated than ever to come over here and reverse that result.”

England

15        Danielle         Waterman      (Worcester)

14        Katherine      Merchant       (Worcester)

13        Emily  Scarratt          (Lichfield)

12        Alice   Richardson   (Richmond)

11        Michaela        Staniford        (Wasps)

10        Katy    McLean (C)   (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

9          Natasha         Hunt   (Lichfield)

1          Rochelle        Clark   (Worcester)

2          Victoria           Fleetwood     (Lichfield)

3          Laura  Keates            (Worcester)

4          Tamara           Taylor (Lichfield)

5          Rowena         Burnfield       (Richmond)

6          Heather          Fisher (Worcester)

7          Marlie Packer            (Bristol)

8          Sarah Hunter (VC)  (Lichfield)

Replacements:

16        Emma Croker            (Richmond)

17        Rosemarie     Crowley         (Lichfield)

18        Sophie           Hemming       (Bristol)

19        Emily  Braund           (Lichfield)

20        Alexandra      Matthews       (Richmond)

21        Georgina       Gulliver          (Lichfield)

22        Francesca Matthews (Richmond)                        

23        Joanne          Watmore        (Worcester)

England Women Autumn International Series:

Nov 3, 2012 - England 23 France 13 - Esher RFC

Nov 23, 2012 - England v New Zealand - Esher RFC - KO 730pm (Live on www.rfu.com/englandwomenlive)

Nov 27, 2012 - England v New Zealand - Aldershot Army Rugby Stadium - KO 730pm. (Live on www.rfu.com/englandwomenlive)

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 following the conclusion of the men’s match.