The England Women's A team to face the Nomads on Sunday February 7th, kick off 4pm at Esher RFC, has been announced. England A Head Coach Mike Barnett has named a strong starting line-up which includes Rosemarie Crowley and Jane Leonard who both featured in England's historic win over world champions New Zealand in November. Saracens' Sonia Green will captain the squad, which in total boasts nine capped players. Barnett said: "This is a big season for all of the players. This is their opportunity to put their hands up for a place in the world cup squad which is less than seven months away. 'A' team rugby is all about development, and yes we want to win every game we play, but really this is all about staking their claim. "The Nomads traditionally always provide a difficult challenge and they are always unpredictable, but that is great for our players. You never know what you are going to get and with so many former international players in their ranks they are always a difficult proposition." England A will also play Spain and France A this season, as well as a second test against the Nomads. England A 15 Georgina Roberts Darlington Mowden Park Sharks 14 Francesca Matthews Richmond 13 Abigail Chamberlain Richmond 12 Kimberley Oliver Bristol 11 Amber Penrith Worcester 10 Danielle Knight Lichfield 9 Georgina Rozario Bristol 1 Laura Keates Worcester 2 Emma Layland Richmond 3 Rosemarie Crowley Lichfield 4 Natalie Binstead Wasps 5 Jenny Brightmore Worcester 6 Gemma Sharples Worcester 7 Jane Leonard Lichfield / Army 8 Sonia Green (C) Saracens Replacements: 16 Victoria Fleetwood Lichfield 17 Monica Lewinska Bristol 18 Marlie Packer Bristol 19 Sara Anastasi Richmond 20 Sarah Guest Worcester 21 Natasha Hunt Bristol 22 Jennifer Edwards Darlington Mowden Park Sharks Head Coach Mike Barnett Assistant Coaches Andy Paton & Matt Ferguson England A Fixtures: Feb 7th, England A v Nomads, KO 4pm Esher RFC Feb 14th, Spain v England A, KO 1230pm local time, Gijon Las Mestas Stadium March 13th, England A v Nomads, KO 530pm local time, Esher RFC March 19th, France A v Spain, KO 515pm local time, Rennes Stade Velodrome |
