Source: World Rugby

Middleton makes two changes for Clermont-Ferrand 7s

  • +1

Simon Middleton has named his England Women sevens squad for the final leg of the World Rugby HSBC Women’s Sevens Series at Clermont-Ferrand in France this weekend (Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 May).

Middleton makes two changes to the side which landed the Cup Final in Langford last time, bringing back Claire Allan and Natasha Brennan to replace Sarah Mckenna and Jo Watmore.

Drawn in Pool A, England face Spain, USA and Kenya, who make their World Series debut on Saturday, in the opening rounds of the final leg of the Series. Having landed the maximum 20 points in Canada, England enters the final leg third with 60 points, behind Australia (76) and New Zealand (64).

England Women head coach Middleton said: “We have secured a top three finish in three of the four tournaments so far this Series. That will be our aim again this time. It was great to get the win in Langford under our belts and show people what the squad are capable of.

“We expect tough competition in France and look forward to it, in what will be the final time we meet most of these teams before going out to Rio for the Olympics.”

Former international hockey player Brennan, who joined the side in Sao Paulo earlier in the year, returns alongside Claire Allan, who will be making her fourth appearance this Series.

“With just over two months now until Rio, we felt it important to look at different combinations,” Middleton explained.

England squad for Clermont-Ferrand

Claire Allan
Natasha Brennan
Abbie Brown
Heather Fisher
Natasha Hunt
Katy Mclean
Alice Richardson
Emily Scarratt (C)
Emily Scott
Danielle Waterman
Kay Wilson
Amy Wilson Hardy

Pool A fixtures, Saturday 28 May (coverage on WorldRugby.org and Sky Sports)

England v USA 11.44am CEST
England v Kenya 2.28pm CEST
England v Spain 5.12pm CEST