Mclean wants Twickenham crowd to rally England on

Feb 21 • General News, Six Nations • 2338 Views • Comments Off on Mclean wants Twickenham crowd to rally England on

England Women’s captain Katy Mclean is hoping the Twickenham crowd will help spur England on to victory against Ireland in the third round of the Six Nations on Saturday, kick off 6:20pm.

Mclean, whose side have only lost once at Twickenham Stadium, is expecting a colossal clash against the reigning Grand Slam champions who are also gunning for a triple crown on Saturday after wins over Scotland and Wales this championship.

“We always get our biggest crowds at Twickenham and it’s a very special feeling having 13,000 plus people cheering you on,” said the England fly-half. “I would definitely say it helps us playing here. We have had some great wins at Twickenham and it’s really starting to feel like our home now. The crowd and support we get there really spurs us on and in a tight game that’s exactly what we need.”

For England there is a lot at stake in this game. With an opening 18-6 defeat to France in Grenoble earlier this month, Mclean knows England must win this match to keep alive their dreams of winning back the Six Nations crown.

“This is a massive game for us,” added Mclean. “Ireland are current champions and thoroughly deserve to be. However, in a tournament like the Six Nations it’s all up for grabs and this one certainly is. I think Ireland will come with a hardworking pack and want to play with a good tempo, similar to us, so it should make for a fantastic spectacle.”

“Obviously we know it’s a must win match but that’s not our only focus. We want to win the Six Nations but it’s just as important that we play well in every game we play. We want to make all of our performances count as we look towards the Rugby World Cup in August.”

Rugby fans can watch England Women v Ireland Women for free with free entry to the stadium after England Men v Ireland.

England team v Ireland

15 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield)
14 Katherine Merchant (Worcester)
13 Amber Reed (Bristol)
12 Rachael Burford (Thurrock)
11 Kay Wilson (Bristol)
10 Katy Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) C
9 Natasha Hunt (Lichfield)

1 Rochelle Clark (Worcester)
2 Emma Croker (Richmond)
3 Sophie Hemming (Bristol)
4 Rebecca Essex (Richmond)
5 Joanne McGilchrist (Wasps)
6 Hannah Gallagher (Saracens)
7 Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens)
8 Sarah Hunter (Lichfield) VC

Replacements:

16 Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield)
17 Laura Keates (Worcester)
18 Sasha Acheson (Bristol)
19 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
20 Marlie Packer (Wasps)
21 La Toya Mason (Wasps)
22 Ceri Large (Worcester)
23 Lydia Thompson (Worcester)