Saracens Women have named their side to face Harlequins Ladies at The Stoop on Sunday for Tyrrells Premier 15s top of the table clash, kick off 17h30. Both teams are currently undefeated this season with Quins sitting in top spot having picked up eight bonus points from eight matches and Saracens hunting them down just one point behind.
The Sarries pack is bolstered by the return of Italian international Valeria Fedrighi and the experienced Sonia Green in the second row. The back row battle will be key and Rob Cain has opted for Poppy Cleall at No.8 with sister Bryony at blindside flanker and Marlie Packer packing down on the opposite flank. Up front Hannah Botterman starts at tighthead following her international debut in the autumn series and is joined by Kat Evans at hooker and Loz Salisbury at loose head prop.
There’s change in the back three as Ama Mayes and Nina Vistisen come in to replace the injured Garnet Mackinder and Rowan White at wing and full back. Lotte Clapp continues to captain from the wing. The youthful centre partnership of Helena Rowland and Cara Wardle is reignited whilst in the halves, Georgie Gulliver is named at scrum-half with Zoe Harrison playing alongside her at fly-half.
Speaking ahead of the match, head coach Rob Cain said: “Quins have shown during the first round of the competition how dangerous their passing game is and how much speed they generate when they have time and space. They have a lot of experience and I am excited for our playing group to continue to grow and enjoy the type of challenges that games like this present.
“This week has been about refreshing our key principles and aims after the international break with the aim of picking up where we left off. At the end of the day, one of the team’s undefeated streaks will come to an end so for the neutral it promises to be an exciting, fast paced affair. To have our faithful Saracens supporters there at the Stoop will make a big difference for us and help drive the players on.”
Saracens Women team to face Harlequins Ladies
1. Loz Salisbury 2. Kat Evans 3. Hannah Botterman 4. Valeria Fedrighi 5. Sonia Green 6. Bryony Cleall 7. Marlie Packer 8. Poppy Cleall 9. Georgie Gulliver 10. Zoe Harrison 11. Lotte Clapp © 12. Helena Rowland 13. Cara Wardle 14. Ama Mayes 15. Nina Vistisen
Replacements
16. Scarlett Cooper-Wall 17. El Perry 18. Sam Martinez Gion 19. Rosie Galligan 20. Harriet Austin
Report courtesy of Saracens Women
