Catherine O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning) and England Women U20s player Hannah Botterman (Saracens Women) have been called up to join the England squad for the first time.

Both players come as replacements for Sarah Bern (Gloucester-Hartpury) and Harriett Millar-Mills (Wasps FC Ladies). Bern has been ruled out of the Old Mutual Wealth Series with an injury (foot) and Millar-Mills for the rest of the season after picking up a long term injury (knee).

Non EPS player Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins Ladies) has also been called up to join the squad ahead of the first Test.

England Women head coach Simon Middleton said: “We will be focussed on bringing the squad together, which combines exciting young talent and more experienced players, ensuring we are fully prepared to take on Canada in the opening Test this Friday.

“Catherine O’Donnell and Hannah Botterman, who have been called up, offer the characteristics that we are looking to see from the team this year, playing a confrontational style of rugby and we feel they will add an edge to the side. While Shaunagh Brown (pictured above) has earned the opportunity to join the squad ahead of the first Test, after putting in consistently outstanding performances in the Tyrrells Premier 15s this season. We are looking forward to seeing what she can bring to the international setup.”

“Sadly Harriett Millar-Mills will not feature this season after picking up a long-term injury ahead of camp. She delivered some incredible performances this season in the Tyrrells Premier 15s, we wish her the best with her recovery. We feel for Sarah Bern who will also miss the series through injury, which was picked up on club duty, but we know she will be working hard to over the next couple of months to be back in contention ahead of the Six Nations.”

Izzy Noel Smith (Bristol Ladies) and Justine Lucas (Wasps FC Ladies) will join up with the squad later in the week. Lucas will continue her rehabilitation with England after picking up an injury (ankle) last month.

* denotes uncapped player
Forwards 
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)
Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol Ladies)
Marlie Packer (Saracens Women)
Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
Abbie Scott (Harlequins Ladies)
Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins Ladies)*
Catherine O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning)*
Hannah Botterman (Saracens Women)*

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)

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

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

England Women will take on Canada in back-to-back games across the three match series with the first game to be played at Allianz Park on Friday 17th November, kick off 19:30, live stream via Englandrugby.com.

The two sides will next meet in a mid-week fixture at The Stoop on Tuesday 21st November, kick off 19:45, before playing in the series finale at Twickenham Stadium, kick off at 17:40 (live Sky Sports Arena & Sky Sports Mix) with free entry after the men’s game against Samoa.

England Women Head Coach Simon Middleton said: “2017 has been an exceptional year for women’s rugby at international level with the team securing a Six Nations Grand Slam, a whitewash tour in New Zealand in June and reaching the final of the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

We want to continue to build on the successes of last season and are looking forward to taking on Canada, a world-class side, in what will be a demanding three-Test series in November.”

England has played Canada a total of 25 times, winning 21 of those, including the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup final. The two sides most recently met in Christchurch, New Zealand during the International Womens Rugby Series in June, with England securing a hard fought 27-20 win.

Tickets for the England Women Old Mutual Wealth series will be available via EnglandRugby.com/tickets from 9am on Friday 29th September.

Old Mutual Wealth Series 2017

17th November – Allianz Park (KO 19:30, live stream via Englandrugby.com)
England Women v Canada

21st November – Twickenham Stoop (KO 19:45, broadcast details TBC)
England Women v Canada

25th November – Twickenham Stadium (KO 17:40, live Sky Sports Arena & Sky Sports Mix)
England Women v Canada

Report courtesy of England Rugby

England Women will play three fixtures against Canada, finishing the series at Twickenham Stadium on November 25 at the conclusion of the men’s game against Samoa. Dates and venues for the opening two games are still to be confirmed.

Last month’s Old Mutual Series saw sell-out crowds at Twickenham stadium for the men and record numbers attending the women’s fixtures. The near 4,000 fans who watched the Red Roses match against the Black Ferns at the Twickenham Stoop was a stadium record for a women’s match.

England Women’s captain Sarah Hunter, who last month was named World Rugby’s Women’s Player of the Year said: “This season, through the support of Old Mutual Wealth, we enjoyed a truly world-class autumn series. It has helped provide great preparation as we build towards the 2017 Women’s World Cup and set a marker for all there is still to do to be the best in the world.

“It was great to have record numbers of fans for home women’s games, and we look forward to building on that next year as women’s rugby in this country continues to grow.”

The senior men will play three Test matches next season at Twickenham stadium against Argentina (November 11), Australia (November 18) and Samoa (November 25). Matches will kick off at 2:30pm and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports HD.

Both Argentina and Australia were beaten by Eddie Jones’ side as part of this season’s four-game autumn series. England won all four matches and finished the year unbeaten.

An England XV will also take on the Barbarians in the Old Mutual Wealth Cup at Twickenham on May 28^th. The match will take place the day after the Premiership final and before England fly to Argentina for a two-Test series in June.

England Head Coach Eddie Jones said: “This season’s Old Mutual Wealth Series was fantastic for England and we had brilliant support from 82,000 fans every week.

“These block of matches are an important step in our preparations for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan and we look forward to playing in the 2017 series against three tough opponents in Argentina, Australia and Samoa.”

Paul Feeney, Chief Executive, Old Mutual Wealth, said: “This year’s Series was a huge success and we are delighted to announce the details of next year’s Old Mutual Wealth Cup and the Old Mutual Wealth Series fixtures. This is an incredibly exciting time for England Rugby and we are proud to support them as we look ahead to what will be a series of thrilling fixtures.”

Old Mutual Wealth’s support of England Rugby extends from the men’s and women’s elite game to the grassroots through Old Mutual Wealth Kids First – England Rugby’s approach to rugby for 6-13 year-olds. It gives children the opportunity to prosper by fostering an environment for having fun, learning and building confidence.

Tickets for the Old Mutual Wealth Cup fixture in May against the Barbarians are available from £5 for children and £25 for adults from 10am on 14th of December via englandrugby.com/tickets

Report courtesy of England Rugby

Alex Matthews opened the scoring for the Red Roses before Amy Cokayne went over for England’s second from a driving maul, the side’s fifth such try in four autumn Tests.

Danielle Waterman then scored an impressive solo try as she weaved in and out of Canadian defenders from her own 22, in her first Test at the Twickenham since 2011. However Canada responded with two Andrea Burk penalties to leave them only nine points behind at half-time.

England returned for the second half maintaining the tempo of the first with Kay Wilson showing electric pace to put down in the corner.

Emily Scarratt then raced away four minutes later to score their fifth before Lydia Thompson scored her second in as many games as England showed their attacking prowess.

Replacement Claire Allan dived over in the corner 14 minutes from time as England rounded off 2016 with an impressive win in front of a home crowd of over 12,000.

Head coach Simon Middleton said: “That was a brilliant way to end the Series. I am really pleased with the manner in which the team executed our game plan.

“It is always special to come out and play at Twickenham and the girls certainly delivered a great performance, both in attack and defence. There is still a lot for us to work on, but that has given us confidence today.”

The result reinstated England to second in the World Rankings behind New Zealand, after they had slipped down to third to Canada following the 20-25 defeat last weekend by the Black Ferns.

The Red Roses also exacted revenge for the 52-17 loss to the Canadians in Salt Lake City in the Summer Series in July.

Captain Sarah Hunter said: “It was the response we needed as a team, we’ve talked quite honestly during the week about where it went wrong against New Zealand.

“We scored seven tries tonight against a good Canada side, and to back that up we had a world-class defence. You talk about defence winning games at times, we stifled them really well. They put huge pressure on us and came close to our line but we held strong. We want to have a world-class defence heading into the World Cup next year and we’ve certainly started to build that.”

England 39 – 6 Canada
Tries: Matthews (8), Cokayne (26), Waterman (37), Wilson (45), Scarratt (49), Thompson (51), Allan (65)
Conversions: Scott (51, 55)

England Women match day 23 v Canada

15 Danielle Waterman (Bristol, 64 caps, Allan (59))
14 Lydia Thompson (Worcester Valkyries, 27 caps)
13 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield, 61 caps)
12 Rachael Burford (Aylesford Bulls, 60 caps, Jones (56))
11 Kay Wilson (Richmond, 39 caps)
10 Emily Scott (Saracens, 16 caps)
9 La Toya Mason (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 59 caps, Hunt (40))

1 Rochelle Clark (Worcester Valkyries, 117 caps, Cornborough (45))
2 Amy Cokayne (Lichfield, 20 caps, Croker (56))
3 Laura Keates (Worcester Valkyries, 56 caps, Bern (66))
4 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 98 caps)
5 Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield, 38 caps)
6 Alex Matthews (Richmond, 26 caps)
7 Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol, 24 caps, Packer (49))
8 Sarah Hunter (Bristol, 85 caps, Cleall (59)) (c)

16 Emma Croker (Richmond, 64 caps)
17 Vickii Cornborough (Aylesford Bulls, 21 caps)
18 Sarah Bern (Bristol, 4 caps)
19 Poppy Cleall (Bristol, 7 caps)
20 Marlie Packer (Bristol, 40 caps)
21 Natasha Hunt (Lichfield, 33 caps)
22 Megan Jones (Bristol, 2 caps)
23 Claire Allan (Saracens, 36 caps)

Old Mutual Wealth Series

England 10 – 5 France
Wednesday 9 November
Twickenham Stoop

England 20 – 25 New Zealand
Saturday 19 November
Twickenham Stoop

England 39 – 6 Canada
Saturday 26 November
Twickenham

Report courtesy of England Rugby

Broadcast live on Sky Sports and BBC 5 Live Sports Extra, this fourth autumn Test provides the Red Roses with the opportunity to finish the series with a victory following their disappointing defeat to the Black Ferns last weekend.

With Fiona Pocock and Vicky Fleetwood ruled out through injury, Richmond wing Kay Wilson and flanker Alex Matthews return to the starting line-up. Bristol back Megan Jones comes into the squad on the bench for the first time this series in search of her second senior England cap.

Rachael Burford (Photo: Rugbymatters.net)

Aylesford Bulls inside centre Rachael Burford starts to earn her 60^th international appearance.

Head Coach Simon Middleton said: “Since last weekend we have reflected, regrouped and worked hard to address the aspects which didn’t go our way. We want to end the Old Mutual Wealth Series with a win and know Canada will do their best to prevent that.

“It is always great to follow the men out and play at Twickenham, and we look forward to strong support from the home crowd.”

The side have also notched up wins against France 10-5 on 9 November for the Old Mutual Wealth Series opener and Ireland 10-2 in Dublin on 13 November.

Canada Women took on New Zealand in Dublin yesterday with the Black Ferns securing a 20-10 victory. Since England’s 2014 Women’s World Cup Final win over Canada, the two sides have met twice with one win each. England secured a tight 14-15 victory in Edmonton in July 2015 before meeting again in this summer’s Super Series in Salt Lake City where the Canadians took a convincing 52-17 win.

England Women match day 23 v Canada

15 Danielle Waterman (Bristol, 63 caps)
14 Lydia Thompson (Worcester Valkyries, 26 caps)
13 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield, 60 caps)
12 Rachael Burford (Aylesford Bulls, 59 caps)
11 Kay Wilson (Richmond, 38 caps)
10 Emily Scott (Saracens, 15 caps)
9 La Toya Mason (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 58 caps)

1 Rochelle Clark (Worcester Valkyries, 116 caps)
2 Amy Cokayne (Lichfield, 19 caps)
3 Laura Keates (Worcester Valkyries, 55 caps)
4 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 97 caps)
5 Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield, 37 caps)
6 Alex Matthews (Richmond, 25 caps)
7 Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol, 23 caps)
8 Sarah Hunter (Bristol, 84 caps) (c)

16 Emma Croker (Richmond, 63 caps)
17 Vickii Cornborough (Aylesford Bulls, 20 caps)
18 Sarah Bern (Bristol, 3 caps)
19 Poppy Cleall (Bristol, 6 caps)
20 Marlie Packer (Bristol, 39 caps)
21 Natasha Hunt (Lichfield, 32 caps)
22 Megan Jones (Bristol, 1 cap)
23 Claire Allan (Saracens, 35 caps)

Old Mutual Wealth Series

England 10 – 5 France
Wednesday 9 November
Twickenham Stoop

England 20 – 25 New Zealand
Saturday 19 November
Twickenham Stoop

England v Canada, Saturday 26 November
Twickenham, KO 5.05pm
FREE entry after the conclusion of the men’s game

Report courtesy of England Rugby

Despite scoring three tries, the Red Roses were unable to hold off the Black Ferns with scrum-half Kendra Cocksedge scoring 20 points including two winning penalties in the final five minutes.

The Red Roses made a convincing start when Fiona Pocock went over in the corner in the second minute to score her 20th try for England.

The Red Roses were on top for much of the first period but they went in at half-time 5-7 down after Renee Wickliffe’s try just before the break and a successful conversion from Cocksedge, who was later awarded player of the match.

England rebuilt at half-time and scored two tries in the space of two minutes through Harriet Millar-Mills and Lydia Thompson, and after Katy Mclean’s conversion the home side found themselves 10 points in front.

However the Black Ferns were not to be outdone and Cocksedge scored two tries in six minutes after the hour mark, successfully converting the second to put her team 19-17 ahead with 14 minutes remaining.

The Red Roses refused to give in and Emily Scarratt knocked over a penalty with seven minutes left to go a single point ahead but Cocksedge kicked two penalties of her own in the closing stages to seal the win.

Head Coach Simon Middleton said: “We are hugely disappointed to lose the game having done enough to win. There were many positives at times but we still have plenty to work on.

“We created enough opportunities to win but we didn’t for a number of reasons and we compounded our errors with penalties and we just didn’t manage our game well enough. At times we were outstanding but you’ve got to be consistent against sides like this.”

Rochelle Clark came off the bench in the 55th minute to become the most capped women’s international player of all time, but it was not enough to inspire a Red Rose win in front of a home crowd of over 4,000.

England Women face Canada at Twickenham on Saturday 26 November with KO at 5.05pm, immediately after the men’s game.

England 20 – New Zealand 25

Tries: Pocock, Millar-Mills, Thompson
Conversions: Mclean
Penalty: Scarratt

England match-day 23 against New Zealand

15 Danielle Waterman (Bristol, 63 caps)
14 Lydia Thompson (Worcester Valkyries, 26 caps)
13 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield, 60 caps)
12 Rachael Burford (Aylesford Bulls, 59 caps)
11 Fiona Pocock (Aylesford Bulls, 32 caps, Allan 28)
10 Katy Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 80 caps, Scott 61)
9 Natasha Hunt (Lichfield, 32 caps)

1 Vickii Cornborough (Aylesford Bulls, 20 caps, Clark (55))
2 Amy Cokayne (Lichfield, 19 caps)
3 Laura Keates (Worcester Valkyries, 55 caps, Lucas (55))
4 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 97 caps)
5 Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield, 37 caps)
6 Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol, 23 caps, Fleetwood, 51, Cleall, 68)
7 Marlie Packer (Bristol, 39 caps)
8 Sarah Hunter  (Bristol, 84 caps) (c)

16 Emma Croker (Richmond, 63 caps)
17 Rochelle Clark (Worcester Valkyries, 116 caps)
18 Justine Lucas (Lichfield, 14 caps)
19 Poppy Cleall (Bristol, 6 caps)
20 Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens, 54 caps)
21 La Toya Mason (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 58 caps)
22 Emily Scott (Saracens, 15 caps)
23 Claire Allan (Saracens, 35 caps)

Old Mutual Wealth Series

England 10 – 5 France
Wednesday 9 November
Twickenham Stoop

England 20 – 25 New Zealand
Saturday 19 November
Twickenham Stoop

England v Canada, Saturday 26 November
Twickenham, KO 5.05pm
FREE entry after the conclusion of the men’s game

Report courtesy of England Rugby

Rocky Clarke & Vicky Fleetwood (Photo: Valkyries)

The loosehead prop matched the record of 115 international caps, held by Valkyries Director of Rugby Donna Kennedy, when she scored in last weekend’s win over Ireland.

Valkyries winger Lydia Thompson is also recalled to the side on the wing to face New Zealand while Laura Keates starts at tighthead.

The match will be shown live on EnglandRugby.com and BBC 5 Live Sports Extra.

The Red Roses are two from two so far this autumn having beaten France 10-5 in the series opener before following up with a gritty 12-10 win over Ireland at University College Dublin last Sunday.

Lydia Thompson makes a break. (Photo: England Rugby)

However, they face a tougher challenge on Saturday when they take on the world’s number one side, fresh from a convincing 2-0 series win against Australia.

The sides have met just once this World Cup cycle, in July 2015 when the Black Ferns came away with a 26-7 victory.

England Women
15 Danielle Waterman (Bristol, 62 caps)
14 Lydia Thompson (Worcester Valkyries, 25 caps)
13 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield, 59 caps)
12 Rachael Burford (Aylesford Bulls, 58 caps)
11 Fiona Pocock (Aylesford Bulls, 31 caps)
10 Katy Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 79 caps)
9 Natasha Hunt (Lichfield, 31 caps)
1 Vickii Cornborough (Aylesford Bulls, 19 caps)
2 Amy Cokayne (Lichfield, 18 caps)
3 Laura Keates (Worcester Valkyries, 54 caps)
4 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 96 caps)
5 Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield, 36 caps)
6 Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol, 22 caps)
7 Marlie Packer (Bristol, 38 caps)
8 Sarah Hunter (Bristol, 83 caps) (c)

Replacements
16 Emma Croker (Richmond, 63 caps)
17 Rochelle Clark (Worcester Valkyries, 115 caps)
18 Justine Lucas (Lichfield, 13 caps)
19 Poppy Cleall (Bristol, 5 caps)
20 Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens, 53 caps)
21 La Toya Mason (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 58 caps)
22 Emily Scott (Saracens, 14 caps)
23 Claire Allan (Saracens, 34 caps)

Old Mutual Wealth Series
England 10-5 France, Wednesday 9 November, Twickenham Stoop
Ireland 10-12 England, Sunday 13 November, University College Dublin
England vs New Zealand, Saturday 19 November, Twickenham Stoop, 12pm
England vs Canada, Saturday 26 November, Twickenham, 5.05pm – FREE entry after the conclusion of the men’s game

Report courtesy of Worcester Valkyries

Katy Mclean and Emily Scarratt will start to earn their 80^th and 60^th caps respectively, while Rochelle Clark will look to come off the bench for her 116^th international appearance to become the world’s most capped women’s player.

The Red Roses are two from two so far this autumn having beaten France 10-5 in the series opener on 9 November before following up with a gritty 10-12 win over Ireland at University College Dublin on Sunday.

However they face a tougher challenge on Saturday when they take on the world’s number one side, fresh from a convincing 2-0 series win against Australia.

Head Coach Simon Middleton said: “This series is about building on our performances and developing as a squad. We expect a tough Test against the Black Ferns, as the world’s number one side.

“We have two tough games under our belts where we have had the opportunity to test our resilience and the strength and depth of our squad. We look forward to bringing Emily Scarratt and Lydia Thompson back into the starting 15 and having the support of a home crowd. We encourage anyone coming down to Twickenham on Saturday to pop over to the Stoop for 12pm to get behind the Red Roses.”

The sides have met just once this World Cup cycle, in July 2015 when the Black Ferns came away with a 26-7 victory.

The final Test of the Old Mutual Wealth Series sees the Red Roses take on Canada on 26 November at Twickenham, KO 5.05pm.

England match-day 23 against New Zealand

15 Danielle Waterman (Bristol, 62 caps)
14 Lydia Thompson (Worcester Valkyries, 25 caps)
13 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield, 59 caps)
12 Rachael Burford (Aylesford Bulls, 58 caps)
11 Fiona Pocock (Aylesford Bulls, 31 caps)
10 Katy Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 79 caps)
9 Natasha Hunt (Lichfield, 31 caps)

1 Vickii Cornborough (Aylesford Bulls, 19 caps)
2 Amy Cokayne (Lichfield, 18 caps)
3 Laura Keates (Worcester Valkyries, 54 caps)
4 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 96 caps)
5 Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield, 36 caps)
6 Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol, 22 caps)
7 Marlie Packer (Bristol, 38 caps)
8 Sarah Hunter  (Bristol, 83 caps) (c)

16 Emma Croker (Richmond, 63 caps)
17 Rochelle Clark (Worcester Valkyries, 115 caps)
18 Justine Lucas (Lichfield, 13 caps)
19 Poppy Cleall (Bristol, 5 caps)
20 Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens, 53 caps)
21 La Toya Mason (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 58 caps)
22 Emily Scott (Saracens, 14 caps)
23 Claire Allan (Saracens, 34 caps)

Old Mutual Wealth Series

England 10 – 5 France
Wednesday 9 November
Twickenham Stoop

England v New Zealand, Saturday 19 November
Twickenham Stoop, KO 12pm
Tickets available here

England v Canada, Saturday 26 November
Twickenham, KO 5.05pm
FREE entry after the conclusion of the men’s game

Report courtesy of  England Rugby

The Red Roses took the lead through the record-breaking Rochelle Clark after an opening 20 minutes where possession was shared between the two sides across the centre of the field.

Clark made history by becoming England’s most-capped player earning her 115^th international cap for the game, overtaking Jason Leonard.

She marked the occasion with a well-taken try six minutes before the break, after Vicky Fleetwood broke from the back of a maul but was hauled down five metres short of the line.

The Worcester Valkyries prop then collected the ball and dragged herself over the line.

England were pegged back by a Nora Stapleton penalty on the stroke of half-time and the home side went on to take the lead after the break through a well-taken Stapleton score. Her conversion then sailed through the uprights to give Ireland a five-point advantage.

However, the Red Roses refused to lie down and they levelled late on through an Izzy Noel-Smith try, and after Katy Mclean’s converted from out wide, they went ahead again.

Simon Middleton’s side defiantly held on for the remainder of the match, and they have now won four of their last five meetings between the two sides, moving up to number two in the world rankings in the process ahead of Canada.

England will next face New Zealand on Saturday (kick-off 12 noon) at Twickenham Stoop in the second match of the Old Mutual Wealth Series before playing Canada on 26 November at Twickenham in a rematch of the 2014 World Cup final.

Of the win, Middleton said: ““It was a very scrappy game, but we showed guts and great spirit to find a way to win again like we did against France on Wednesday night.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do, but we’re at the start of the journey with this group and one thing that we really need to know about is character. We’ve found that out over the last couple of games and it’s no mean achievement to come to Ireland and beat them on their own patch.”

With the prospect of meeting the world’s number one side on Saturday, he added: “We’ll go back to England now and be on our home turf, but we have to improve our execution. We know what the Kiwis are going to bring in terms of physicality, it goes without saying you have to match that. Our execution across the park needs to be better and it will be.”

On her landmark at the venue that will host the pool games of next year’s World Cup, 35-year-old Clark said:  “To be the most-capped player now is fantastic. I’ve really enjoyed the day and it must be the luck of the Irish that I managed to squeeze over the line.

“It was amazing running out on my own and hearing the cheers of the crowd before the game. I’m very proud of the girls for digging deep and getting the win.

“We want to get a few more wins on this pitch during the World Cup next year. It was a really tough game but it was great to experience this arena and we’ve set our marker here now.”

Ireland 10 – 12 England
Tries: Clark, Noel-Smith
Conversion: Mclean

England match-day 23 against Ireland

15 Danielle Waterman (Bristol, 62 caps)
14 Kay Wilson (Richmond, 38 caps)
13 Claire Allan (Saracens, 34 caps, Mclean 64)
12 Rachael Burford (Aylesford Bulls, 58 caps, Large 69)
11 Fiona Pocock (Aylesford Bulls, 31 caps)
10 Emily Scott (Saracens, 14 caps)
9 La Toya Mason (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 58 caps, Hunt 52)

1 Rochelle Clark (Worcester Valkyries, 115 caps, Cornborough, 55)
2 Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens, 53 caps)
3 Laura Keates (Worcester Valkyries, 54 caps, Lucas 55)
4 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 96 caps)
5 Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield, 36 caps, Cleall 69)
6 Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol, 22 caps)
7 Marlie Packer (Bristol, 38 caps, Cokayne, 44)
8 Sarah Hunter (Bristol, 83 caps) (c)

16 Amy Cokayne (Lichfield, 18 caps)
17 Vickii Cornborough (Aylesford Bulls, 19 caps)
18 Sarah Bern (Bristol, 3 caps)
19 Poppy Cleall (Bristol, 5 caps)
20 Justine Lucas (Lichfield, 13 caps)
21 Natasha Hunt (Lichfield, 31 caps)
22 Katy Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 79 caps)
23 Ceri Large (Worcester Valkyries, 52caps)

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England 10 – 5 France
Wednesday 9 November
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England v New Zealand, Saturday 19 November
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Report courtesy of England Rugby