Red Roses squad to face Canada in Christchurch
Simon Middleton has made 11 changes to the England Women starting 15 who will face Canada on Tuesday 13 June in the second test of the 2017 International Women’s Rugby Series in Christchurch, New Zealand (KO 1.30am BST, live on WorldRugby.org).
Following Friday’s 10-53 victory over Australia in Wellington, Sarah Hunter (Bristol) returns to captain the side from No. 8, with Emily Scarratt (Lichfield) starting at outside centre, and Megan Jones moving to inside centre.
England’s most capped player Rochelle Clark (Worcester Valkyries) starts at loosehead prop for her 123rd international appearance, joining Amy Cokayne (Lichfield) and Justine Lucas (Lichfield), who both came off the bench during the win over Australia, in the front row.
Amber Reed (Bristol), Marlie Packer (Bristol) and La Toya Mason (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), who earns her 65th international cap, make their Series debuts at fly-half, flanker and scrum-half.
In the back line, Danielle Waterman (Bristol) – who scored an impressive solo try from her own 22m against Canada during the Old Mutual Wealth Series last autumn – returns to full back and Lydia Thompson (Worcester Valkyries) starts on the right wing.
Sarah McKenna (Saracens), who scored a hat-trick in the opening Test, again starts at left wing.
Head coach Middleton said: “I thought that everybody who featured in the first Test, played well and it was a really good opener for us. Everyone has recovered physically and mentally we are in a really good place.
“We have changed things again with selection for this game and this was always part of the plan, everyone was going to get a run out in the first two games. It allows us to run varying combinations and look at individuals, who we know can cover across a few positions, in a high quality game against first-class opposition.”
Seasoned England players Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) and Rachael Burford (Aylsford Bulls) are rested for the game with three of England’s six try scorers in the first Test, Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol), Kay Wilson (Richmond) and Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens), on the bench.
Middleton added: “After the first game everybody will be in a better place to go again and Canada will certainly be looking to make amends after their opener with the Black Ferns. They will be a lot more accurate and they are always physical so we need to be prepared and are expecting a tough test.”
England has played Canada a total of 24 times, winning 20 of those, including the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup final. The two sides most recently met during the final game of the 2016 Old Mutual Wealth Series, with England winning 39-6.
England match-day 23 against Canada, International Women’s Rugby Series
15 Danielle Waterman (Bristol, 68 caps)
14 Lydia Thompson (Worcester Valkyries, 32 caps)
13 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield, 67 caps)
12 Megan Jones (Bristol, 3 caps)
11 Sarah McKenna (Saracens, 13 caps)
10 Amber Reed (Bristol, 37 caps)
9 La Toya Mason (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 64 caps)
1 Rochelle Clark (Worcester Valkyries, 122 caps)
2 Amy Cokayne (Lichfield, 26 caps)
3 Justine Lucas (Lichfield, 20 caps)
4 Abbie Scott (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 15 caps)
5 Emily Braund (Lichfield, 25 caps)
6 Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield, 44 caps)
7 Marlie Packer (Bristol, 45 caps)
8 Sarah Hunter (Bristol, 91 caps)
16 Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens, 60 caps)
17 Vickii Cornborough (Aylsford Bulls, 24 caps)
18 Sarah Bern (Bristol, 9 caps)
19 Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol, 30 caps)
20 Alex Matthews (Richmond, 30 caps)
21 Natasha Hunt (Lichfield, 36 caps)
22 Katy Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 84 caps)
23 Kay Wilson (Richmond, 43 caps)
England Women fixtures, International Women’s Rugby Series
Australia 10 – 53 England
Friday 9 June, Porirua Park,Wellington
Tuesday 13 June – Rugby Park, Christchurch (KO 1.30am BST)
Canada v England Women
Saturday 17 June – Rotorua International Stadium (KO 5.15am BST)
New Zealand v England Women
Notes to editors:
For England Women interview opportunities throughout the International Women’s Rugby Series please contact Suzi Murray (suzimurray@rfu.com /+447525822391)
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