Simon Middleton has announced a 28 player squad for the Old Mutual Wealth Series where England will face Canada in a three Test series in November.
The Red Roses will take on Canada in opening game at Allianz Park on Friday 17th November, (K.O. 19:30, live stream via Englandrugby.com).
The two sides will meet again in a mid-week fixture at The Stoop on Tuesday 21st November, (K.O 19:45, live Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Action & Sky Sports Mix) before playing in the series finale at Twickenham Stadium on 25th November (K.O. 17:40, live Sky Sports Arena & Sky Sports Mix) with free entry after the men’s game against Samoa.
The 28-player squad will convene in camp on the 13th November in Bisham Abbey. 18 players from the recent Women’s Rugby World Cup squad have been included in the squad, with seven uncapped players also named.
Forward Jo Brown (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) alongside six new backs; Caity Mattinson (Bristol Ladies), Zoe Harrison (Saracens Women), Lagi Tuima (Bristol Ladies), Abigail Dow (Wasps FC Ladies), Jess Breach (Harlequins Ladies) and Ellie Kildunne (Gloucester-Hartpury) are set to earn international debuts throughout the series.
Simon Middleton, England Women Head Coach today said: “We’re really excited; we know the challenge will be different this season. We have new additions to the squad, a good combination of experience but also some new and exciting talent. We have full confidence that they can come up to standard quickly and showcase their talents, with our more experienced players leading from the front and setting the example that the youngsters need to follow.
“Our focus this season will be about winning and that will stay top of our agenda. We have indoctrinated a winning culture in the squad last season and we want to keep this winning mentality throughout this one. We are looking forward to getting back out and taking on Canada, in what we know will be a challenging and demanding three Test series.”
Alongside the announcement of the Old Mutual Wealth Series squad England have also named a wider 35 woman Elite Player Squad for the 2017/18 season.
The RFU is concluding discussions with the RPA on a remuneration structure for the EPS women’s 15s squad. This will be finalised before the series begins and will include an annual EPS squad fee and a match fee for each game played.
Additional players named as part of the 35 woman EPS include Bianca Blackburn (Gloucester-Hartpury), Lauren Cattell (Saracens Women), Poppy Leitch (Bristol Ladies) , Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning), Kelly Smith (Gloucester- Hartpury Women’s RFC), Rachael Woosey (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) and Olivia Jones (Loughborough Lightning).
England Women Old Mutual Wealth Squad 2017/18 Season
* denotes uncapped player
Forwards
Sarah Bern (Gloucester-Hartpury Women’s RFC)
Jo Brown (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)*
Rowena Burnfield (Richmond FC)
Amy Cokayne (Wasps FC Ladies)
Rochelle Clark (Wasps FC Ladies)
Poppy Cleall (Saracens Women)
Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins Ladies)
Lark Davies (Worcester Valkyries)
Sarah Hunter (Loughborough Lightning)
Heather Kerr (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
Justine Lucas (Wasps FC Ladies)
Harriet Millar-Mills (Wasps FC Ladies)
Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol Ladies)
Marlie Packer (Saracens Women)
Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
Abbie Scott (Harlequins Ladies)
Backs
Rachael Burford (Harlequins Ladies)
Jess Breach (Harlequins Ladies)*
Charlotte Clapp (Saracens Women)
Katy Daley-Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
Abigail Dow (Wasps FC Ladies)*
Zoe Harrison (Saracens Women)*
Ellie Kildunne (Gloucester-Hartpury Women’s RFC)*
Caity Mattinson (Bristol Ladies)*
Amber Reed (Bristol Ladies)
Leanne Riley (Harlequins Ladies)
Lagi Tuima (Bristol Ladies)*
Danielle Waterman (Wasps FC Ladies)
Additional Players named in Elite Player Squad
Bianca Blackburn (Gloucester-Hartpury Women’s RFC)
Lauren Cattell (Saracens Women)
Olivia Jones (Loughborough Lightning)*
Poppy Leitch (Bristol Ladies)
Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning)*
Kelly Smith (Gloucester- Hartpury Women’s RFC)*
Rachael Woosey (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)*
Old Mutual Wealth Series 2017
17th November – Allianz Park (KO 19:30, live stream via Englandrugby.com)
England Women v Canada
Tickets available via Saracens website
21st November – Twickenham Stoop (KO 19:45, live Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Action & Sky Sports Mix)
England Women v Canada
Tickets available via Englandrugby.com/tickets
25th November – Twickenham Stadium (KO 17:40, live Sky Sports Arena & Sky Sports Mix)
England Women v Canada
Report courtesy of England Rugby
