England Women RWC2014 Pools & Training Squad Announced

England Women will face a physical opening to their 2014 Rugby World Cup campaign after being drawn against Canada, Samoa and Spain in the pool stages of next year’s tournament in Paris (Aug 1-17).

The 2010 Rugby World Cup finalists are no strangers to Canada and Spain but they have not played Samoa since 2005. England’s fierce rivals and reigning world champions New Zealand have, meanwhile, been pitted against Kazakhstan, the USA and Ireland in Pool B whilst Home Nations side Wales face a tough challenge with Australia, France and South Africa in their pool.

England Head Coach Gary Street said: “This is certainly going to be an interesting pool for us. We know that Canada will offer a hugely physical challenge and they have enjoyed a lot of success recently, culminating in a Nations Cup win in July. It is also going to add quite a bit of spice to our Test match against them on November 13^th at the Stoop.

“Samoa are a relatively unknown side to us but what we do know is that they have a successful Sevens programme and they have got some talented strong players. Spain, meanwhile, are always a dogged side and we have enjoyed some very close games against them in the European Cup and the Six Nations when they were in it. Spain are certainly not a side to take lightly.”

With the tournament kicking off on August 1, with matches played at FFR Marcoussis, and the semi-finals and final played at Stade Jean Bouin in Paris, Street admits that the excitement is beginning to build. He added: “The WRWC draw has certainly made next year’s tournament come alive now. We are currently in camp preparing for our autumn international series against France and Canada and this news has definitely added another dimension to our training. It’s going to be an exciting nine months.”

Women's Rugby World Cup  2014, Paris Draw:

Pool A: Samoa, Spain, Canada, England,

Pool B: Kazakhstan, Ireland, USA, New Zealand

Pool C: South Africa, Wales, France, Australia

England Women Head Coach Gary Street has also announced a 27-Woman Rugby World Cup training squad. Street, who will expand his squad to 30 in the New Year following several players return from injury, will have access to increased training time with the squad from January onwards, seven months out from the RWC in France.   The selected squad will meet each month, through to August, and there they will also receive enhanced strength and conditioning, nutritional, lifestyle and sports psychologist support.

England Head Coach Gary Street, who will lead the programme alongside Assistant Coach Graham Smith, said: “This is a really exciting squad of players, 14 of whom contested the RWC in 2010. At the same time there are some real quality players who have not been picked. Three players will make up the full complement in the New Year but this squad is by no means a definitive list. Players outside of this squad can still be in contention for a RWC spot if they can prove their form and fitness over the next eight months.”

Street has included several players who k secured back-to-back victories over France and Canada, but for Thurrock hooker, Mercedes Foy, this will be her first call-up since winning three caps in last season’s Nations Cup. “Getting two good wins over France and Canada has given the whole squad a lift after a tough year in 2013,” said Street. “It proves we still have real quality in our ranks and that’s important for us going into the Six Nations next year.  “Those wins also underline that having consistent and more camp time with our players makes a significant difference and I am confident that having more quality time with the players, starting next year, will put us in a good position come August.”

England RWC Training Squad

Claire Allan (Richmond)

Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens)

Emma Braund (Lichfield)

Rachael Burford (Thurrock)

Rochelle Clark (Worcester)

Emma Croker (Richmond)

Rebecca Essex (Richmond)

Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield)

Mercedes Foy (Thurrock)

Hannah Gallagher (Saracens)

Georgina Gulliver (Lichfield)

Sophie Hemming (Bristol)

Natasha Hunt (Lichfield)

Sarah Hunter (Lichfield)

Laura Keates (Worcester)

Ceri Large (Worcester)

La Toya Mason (Wasps)

Joanne McGilchrist (Wasps)

Katy Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

Katherine Merchant (Worcester)

Marlie Packer (Wasps)

Claire Purdy (Wasps)

Amber Reed (Bristol)

Michaela Staniford (Wasps)

Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

Lydia Thompson (Worcester)

Kay Wilson (Bristol)