Source: ©INPHO/James Crombie

Super Series – USA v England – A Look Ahead

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This was the only fixture where Simon Middleton could dare to put out a less than full-blown side.

He has limited himself to Emily Scarratt, Marlie Packer, Amber Reed and Lydia Thompson to provide the experience that comes with 40+ caps – an essential ingredient when a side embarks on a demanding series far from home.

Nonetheless this is a team that demands huge respect. From front to back it contains players who have distinguished themselves many times over.

It will be a great opportunity for Claudia Macdonald to show her paces as she makes her first start at scrum-half. And pace is one of her best qualities: she finished the Tyrrells season as Wasps’ leading try-scorer.

At last Amber Reed can gain a much merited and long delayed 50th cap. She joins a backline bursting with firepower.

Up front all eyes will be on Sarah Bern. But they would be wise to switch across to Ellena Perry on the loose-head side. Her last start was also against the Americans, way back in November on her home turf at Allianz Park. Now recovered from injury, she can begin her challenge to Vickii Cornborough’s right to the No 1 shirt.

The Eagles performed really well against the Barbarians, losing to them only in the dying seconds by a single point (33-34). That result shows the advance they have made since they fell well short against the Black Ferns and the Red Roses in the autumn.

But they should be right up against it in this opening fixture of a tumultuous series,

The England squad:
15 Sarah McKenna 22 caps
14 Lydia Thompson 40
13 Emily Scarratt 78
12 Amber Reed 49
11 Kelly Smith 8
10 Zoe Harrison 13
9 Claudia Macdonald 4
1 Ellena Perry 3
2 Heather Kerr 16
3 Sarah Bern 35
4 Zoe Aldcroft 9
5 Abbie Scott (C) 36
6 Jo Brown 5
7 Marlie Packer 65
8 Poppy Cleall 29

16 Clara Nielson*
17 Hannah Botterman 10
18 Chloe Edwards*
19 Catherine O’Donnell 12
20 Sarah Beckett 6
21 Natasha Hunt 46
22 Milly Wood 4

*uncapped
Match details:

Friday June 28th
KO 21.00 BST
Chula Vista Training Center
San Diego