England Head Coach Gary Street has named a squad of 44 players who will contest a three test series against New Zealand in November and then the RBS 6 Nations in February and March. With England hosting the IRB Women's Rugby World Cup in August and September next year in London, this is a crucial year for the reigning RBS 6 Nations and Nations Cup champions. "We have a very busy international programme this season and that will give everyone in this squad the chance to put their hands up for a place in next year's world cup squad," said Street. Street has named four newcomers in his elite squad, including England Under 20s graduate and Worcester prop Laura Keates. Keates has been involved in the RFUW set-up since she was an under 16s player, and last season captained the Under 20s to Nations Cup glory. Richmond centre Abi Chamberlain also joins the squad after some good performances at club level. She also ran out for England 7 last season in the European Championships. Team Northumbria's Jane Leonard returns to the elite squad after a year out because of work commitments with the Army while Worcester's Amber Penrith has also come out of retirement. Street added: "I've brought in four new players this season and I now feel we have a solid and experienced squad capable of realising our ambitions. I'm delighted to welcome Laura, Abi, Amber and Jane into the squad. Laura has had two very good years with the under 20s, and will certainly add more strength to our forwards this year, while Abi is a very versatile player who has huge potential and can play in the centre, at full back and on the wing. "Both Amber and Jane return to the squad after some time off, and both have proven what talent they are in the past. I am sure they'll play a big part this season." England Elite Squad 2009/2010 Claire Allan Richmond Centre Margaret Alphonsi Saracens Flanker Charlotte Barras Saracens Full Back Sarah Beale Lichfield No 8 Natalie Binstead Wasps Second Row Rachael Burford Richmond Centre Rowena Burnfield Richmond Second Row *Abi Chamberlain Richmond Centre Rochelle Clark Team Northumbria Prop Rosemarie Crowley Lichfield Prop Becky Essex Richmond Second Row Heather Fisher Worcester Flanker Amy Garnett Saracens Hooker Sonia Green Saracens Flanker Sarah Guest Worcester Scrum Half Sophie Hemming Bristol Prop Sarah Hunter Lichfield Flanker Karen Jones Worcester No 8 *Laura Keates Worcester Prop Danielle Knight Lichfield Fly Half Emma Layland Richmond Hooker *Jane Leonard Team Northumbria/Army Flanker La Toya Mason Wasps Scrum Half Francesca Matthews Richmond Winger Joanna McGilchrist Wasps Second Row Katy McLean Darlington Mowden Park Sharks Fly Half Katherine Merchant Worcester Winger Kimberley Oliver Bristol Centre *Amber Penrith Worcester Winger Fiona Pocock Richmond Winger Olivia Poore Lichfield Hooker Claire Purdy Wasps Prop Sam Reeve Worcester Hooker Alice Richardson Richmond Fly Half Georgina Roberts Darlington Mowden Park Sharks Centre Georgina Rozario Bristol Scrum Half Emily Scarratt Lichfield Centre Gemma Sharples Worcester Flanker Catherine Spencer Bristol No 8 Michaela Staniford Wasps Winger Katy Storie Team Northumbria Prop Tamara Taylor Darlington Mowden Park Sharks Second Row Amy Turner Richmond Scrum Half Danielle Waterman Worcester Fullback * denotes new elite squad member England v New Zealand international fixtures November 14th - England v New Zealand, Esher RFC, KO 4pm November 17th - England A v New Zealand, Esher RFC, KO 7pm November 21st - Investec Challenge Double Header, England v New Zealand, Twickenham, KO 445pm Entry to the Investec Challenge Double Header is free after 415pm. |
