The England Women's team to play France in the RBS 6 Nations championship decider on Friday at the Stade Vellodrome in Rennes, France, kick off 7pm GMT, has been announced. Head Coach Gary Street, whose side could secure a fifth and record breaking Six Nations crown on Friday as well as the Grand Slam, has made five changes to the team that defeated Scotland 51-0 on Saturday. Street has recalled Rochelle Clark, Sophie Hemming, Margaret Alphonsi, Captain Catherine Spencer and Rachael Burford to the starting line-up. Emma Layland and Karen Jones also keep their place in the 22 after making their first starts for England this year last weekend. Street said: "This is a really strong squad for our game against France. We have got a lot of players in form, so selection has been really difficult. There was around 27 players with their hat in the ring for selection, but we have had to make the cut to 22 and I am certainly pleased and confident in my final selection." With victories over Wales, Ireland, Italy and Scotland in the bag England head to France knowing that they must defeat France on their soil. France meanwhile have suffered just one defeat in the championship, against Scotland. "France have certainly come back better this season and that is inevitable in a world cup year. However, we plan to go out there and play to the best of our abilities. I am not thinking about titles, grand slams, or even the world cup. Beating France is the only thing on my agenda at the moment." England 15 Fiona Pocock Richmond 14 Katherine Merchant Worcester 13 Emily Scarratt Lichfield 12 Rachael Burford Richmond 11 Amber Penrith Worcester 10 Katy Mclean (VC) Darlington Mowden Park Sharks 9 Amy Turner Richmond 1 Rochelle Clark Team Northumbria 2 Amy Garnett Saracens 3 Sophie Hemming Bristol 4 Joanna McGilchrist Wasps 5 Tamara Taylor Darlington Mowden Park Sharks 6 Heather Fisher Worcester 7 Margaret Alphonsi Saracens 8 Catherine Spencer (C) Bristol Replacements: 16 Emma Layland Richmond 17 Claire Purdy Wasps 18 Rebecca Essex Richmond 19 Karen Jones Worcester 20 La Toya Mason Wasps 21 Alice Richardson Richmond 22 Claire Allan Richmond England's RBS 6 Nations Fixtures & Results: England v Wales, Feb 6th, Esher RFC, KO 7pm WON 31-0 Italy v England, Feb 13th, Noceto, KO 230pm WON 41-0 England v Ireland, Feb 28th, Esher RFC, KO 3pm WON 22-5 Scotland v England, March 13th, Meggatland, KO 130pm WON 51-0 France v England, March 19th, Rennes Stade Vellodrome, KO 8pm |
