ENGLAND WOMEN EXCITED BY EXPERIENCED SQUAD FOR SIX NATIONS OPENER
Experienced names will complement a host of fresh talent within the 23-player England squad named to take on Scotland this Friday.
Many of those named within the line-up gained valuable international experience last year, while four potential new caps start on the bench.
Returning after time out from the England squad are Emily Braund, who will play at second row, and Bristol back row Izzy Noel-Smith, who scored the winning try against Ireland in the Autumn Internationals in November. Among the more experienced players is Captain and No 8 Sarah Hunter while La Toya Mason, who starts at scrum half, will earn a landmark 50th cap on Friday.
Those seeking to gain their first England cap are Wasps prop Bee Dawson, Bristol centre Lucy Demaine, Worcester second row Courtney Gill and Saracens back row Poppy Cleall.
Lead coach Scott Bemand is confident with the selected squad. He said:
“We believe we have the best possible group to take us into a seven-week competition, having just come out of four good days in camp. The Scottish squad have been working hard and training together on a regular basis and so we should not underestimate them as a team.
“We are still a young side, but with the likes of Rochelle Clark, who has 105 England caps, in the squad we can be excited that there is a good balance of experience and exciting new names.”
Bemand added: “It’s a great achievement that La Toya Mason will gain her 50th cap on Friday and great to have her experience, having played in two World Cup finals. The four girls seeking to gain their first cap have performed consistently in the Premiership this season and earned their right to be in the squad.”
The game kicks off at 18:00 from Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld, and will be broadcast live on England Rugby TV.
England match-day 23 to face Scotland
15. Katie Mason (Bristol, 5 caps)
14. Ruth Laybourn (Darlington Mowden Park, 12 caps)
13. Lauren Cattell (Saracens, 13 caps)
12. Ceri Large (Worcester, 42 caps)
11. Lotte Clapp (Saracens, 2 caps)
10. Amber Reed (Bristol, 24 caps)
9. La Toya Mason (Darlington Mowden Park, 49 caps)
1. Rochelle Clark (Worcester, 105 caps)
2. Amy Cokayne (Lichfield, 8 caps)
3. Vickii Cornborough (Richmond, 9 caps)
4. Abbie Scott (Darlington Mowden Park, 10 caps)
5. Emily Braund (Lichfield, 18 caps)
6. Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield, 26 caps)
7. Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol, 12 caps)
8. Sarah Hunter (Bristol, 73 caps)
Replacements
16. Emma Croker (Richmond, 58 caps)
17. Heather Kerr (Darlington Mowden Park, 2 caps)
18. Bee Dawson (Wasps, uncapped)
19. Courtney Gill (Worcester, uncapped)
20. Poppy Cleall (Saracens, uncapped)
21. Bianca Blackburn (Worcester, 8 caps)
22. Lucy Demaine (Bristol, uncapped)
23. Leanne Riley (Richmond, 5 caps)
Lark Davies (Worcester, 1 cap) will travel as a reserve
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