England Women name side to face USA

Jul 8 • General News, International • 1715 Views • Comments Off on England Women name side to face USA

England Women have made four changes to the side that beat France for their final game of the 2016 Women’s Rugby Super Series.

Among the starting line-up are Katie Mason and Bianca Blackburn, who both scored in the opening game against Canada, Izzy Noel-Smith and Richmond prop Vickii Cornborough. Worcester centre Ceri Large also starts to earn her 50^th senior England cap.

The side defeated France 13-17 at the Regional Athletic Complex, Salt Lake City, on Tuesday night and now face the USA Eagles for their final game on Saturday with KO at 10pm BST.

A last gasp try on debut from Zoe Aldcroft sealed the win for England on Tuesday, following a disappointing 52-17 loss against Canada in their opening match.

Lead coach Scott Bemand said: “The win against France was great for many reasons and now we’re looking to take the confidence we gained into this final game of the series.

“The USA will pose a very different challenge to Canada and France. Both sides have had a quick turnaround to this game, but the girls have recovered well. USA will be looking to get a win from the series and so we know that they will come at us hard but we’ve got to continue to build momentum from Tuesday and deliver what we know we’re capable of as a side.”

England last played the USA in last year’s Super Series in Calgary, winning 39 – 13.

England Women games, Women’s Rugby Super Series, KO times 10.00pm BST, and all games broadcast live on TheRugbyChannel.TV

v Canada 1 July (52-17)
Tries: Mason, Wood, Blackburn
Conversion: Large
v France 5 July (13-17)
Tries: Large, Aldcroft
Conversions: Reed (2)
Penalties: Reed
England v USA 9 July

England Women match-day 23 v USA

15. Fiona Pocock (Richmond) (28 caps)
14. Lydia Thompson (Worcester) (24 caps)
13. Lauren Cattell (Saracens) (19 caps)
12. Ceri Large (Worcester) (49 caps)
11. Lotte Clapp (Saracens) (9 caps)
10. Amber Reed (Bristol) (31 caps)
9. Bianca Blackburn (Worcester) (14 caps)
1. Victoria Cornborough (Richmond) (16 caps)
2. Amy Cokayne (Lichfield) (15 caps)
3. Laura Keates (Worcester) (51 caps)
4. Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield) (33 caps)
5. Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park) (93 caps)
6. Alex Matthews (Richmond) (23 caps)
7. Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol) (19 caps)
8. Sarah Hunter (Bristol) (80 caps) (c)
16. Lark Davies (Worcester) (2 caps)
17. Rochelle Clark (Worcester) (112 caps)
18. Sarah Bern (Bristol) (1 cap)
19. Zoe Aldrcoft (Darlington Mowden Park) (1 cap)
20. Poppy Leitch (Bristol) (5 caps)
21. Leanne Riley (Richmond) (8 caps)
22. Millie Wood (Lichfield) (2 caps)
23. Katie Mason (Bristol) (12 caps)