England Women will convene at Loughborough University on Thursday (4 October) for a four-day training camp.
England England Women Head Coach Simon Middleton has called together 36 players ahead of the three-Test Quilter Internationals which take place next month.
Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens), Sarah McKenna (Saracens), Lydia Thompson (Worcester Valkyries) and Millie Wood (Gloucester-Hartpury) return to the 15-aside setup after time in the England Sevens programme last season.
Gloucester-Hartpury lock Zoe Aldcroft is named in the training squad for the first time in a year having last played for England during the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup. Uncapped scrum-half Claudia Macdonald (Wasps FC Ladies) and centres Carys Williams (Loughborough Lightning) and Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury) are also named.
Five from England U20’s successful three-game tour in Canada this summer have also been called into camp: centre Lucy Attwood (Bristol Bears), fly half Ellie Green (Harlequins), prop Ellena Perry (Saracens), hooker Connie Powell (Gloucester-Hartpury) and No 8 Sarah Beckett (Firwood Waterloo).
Simon Middleton said: “The training camp in Loughborough is our first opportunity to get the squad together this season. With the Quilter Internationals fast approaching, we will be looking to lay down expectations and introduce Richard Blaze as forwards coach to the squad as a whole.
“This is a really exciting time for the team and I will be looking for players to lay down markers and stake their claim for selection in the Quilter Internationals. We are continuing to evolve and grow and I look forward to getting out on the pitch and training underway.”
Ahead of the Quilter Internationals in November, an England squad will be named on 18 October before the first Test against USA at Allianz Park on Friday 9 November.
The Red Roses then travel to Doncaster at Castle Park on Sunday 18 November before heading to Twickenham where they play Ireland on Saturday 24 November following the conclusion of the men’s game.
Blaze was confirmed as England’s new forwards coach in September, bringing a wealth of experience from his time as forwards coach for Gallagher Premiership side Leicester Tigers and England U20.
England Women will play the Quilter Internationals under an EPS agreement before 28 full-time contracts are introduced on 1 January 2019.
Red Roses Training Squad
FORWARDS (19)
Sasha Acheson (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Sarah Beckett (Firwood Waterloo)
Hannah Botterman (Saracens)
Jo Brown (Loughborough Lightning)
Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins)
Rowena Burnfield (Richmond FC)
Poppy Cleall (Saracens)
Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins)
Lark Davies (Worcester Valkyries)
Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens)
Sarah Hunter (Loughborough Lightning)
Heather Kerr (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
Justine Lucas (Loughborough Lightning)
Catherine O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning)
Marlie Packer (Saracens)
Ellena Perry (Saracens)
Connie Powell (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Abbie Scott (Harlequins)
BACKS (17)
Lucy Attwood (Bristol Bears)
Rachael Burford (Harlequins)
Katy Daly-Mclean (Loughborough Lightning)
Abby Dow (Wasps FC Ladies)
Ellie Green (Harlequins)
Zoe Harrison (Saracens)
Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Claudia Macdonald (Wasps FC Ladies)
Caity Mattinson (Bristol Bears)
Sarah McKenna (Saracens)
Charlotte Pearce (Loughborough Lightning)
Amber Reed (Bristol Bears)
Leanne Riley (Harlequins)
Kelly Smith (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Lydia Thompson (Worcester Valkyries)
Millie Wood (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Carys Williams (Loughborough Lightning)
Unavailable through injury
Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears)
Lagi Tuima (Bristol Bears)
Quilter Internationals
- England Women v USA Women – Friday 9 November – Allianz Park (KO 7.45pm, Sky Sports Action) – tickets available here
- England Women v Canada Women – Sunday 18 November – Castle Park (KO 2pm, Sky Sports and EnglandRugby.com) – tickets available here
- England Women v Ireland Women – Saturday 24 November – Twickenham Stadium (KO 5.40pm, Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Mix)
Courtesy of the RFU
