The Rugby Football Union for Women’s highly successful Super League series returns this Sunday at Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire.
In its third year, the tournament has provided a high level of intense competition for England’s elite players as well as players in Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
There will be three teams of English players led by top coaches and a Celtic team who will compete in three rounds of tough rugby, before the top two teams compete for the converted Super League crown at Heythrop Park on May 31st.
England A Head Coach Mike Barnett and Richard Arnold will coach the Thunder team which includes the like of RBS 6 Nations winners Maggie Alphonsi, Rochelle Clark and Karen Jones.
Former England A Head Coach Amanda Bennett and Mark Francis will coach the Tornadoes which includes England props Katy Storie and Sophie Hemming while the Stormers, a team that includes England captain Catherine Spencer, will be coached by former England international Jenny Lyne and Ian Davies. Liza Burgess, a former Welsh international, and Karen Findlay will coach the Hurricanes Celtic team.
RFUW World Class Programmes Manager Nicola Ponsford said: “Over the last few years Super League has provided us with a strong, competitive tournament that has pitted players against each other from across England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. It has also been a very useful addition to the club and international calendar we have.
“Just as importantly, it gives players selected through the Regional Programme, the chance to play against some of the best international players in Europe as they look to develop their game. We are very much looking forward to another successful and enthralling series this season.”
Super League match schedule:
Round One – April 20th, 2008 Heythrop Park
Thunder v Stormers 12:00pm
Tornadoes v Hurricanes 13:45
Round 2 – May 4th, 2008 Heythrop Park
Celtic v Thunder 12:00
Tornadoes v Stormers13:45
Round 3 – May 11th, 2008
Thunder v Tornadoes 12:00
Stormers v Celtic 13:45
Super League Final – May 31st, Heythrop Park kick-off time TBC
Super League squads
Thunder
Margaret Alphonsi Saracens
Sara Anastasi Richmond
Tracey Balmer Worcester
Charlotte Boggis Exeter University
Rochelle Clark Henley
Pippa Crews Worcester
Rosemarie Crowley Lichfield
Jen Floyd Bath
Sarah Graham Lichfield
Karen Jones Richmond
Susannah Kendall Plymouth Albion
Dani Knight Lichfield
Francesca Matthews Richmond
Adrienne McAlpine Wasps
Joanna McGilchrist Wasps
Laura Nash Leos
Fiona Pocock Richmond
Ollie Poore Lichfield
Rebecca Roby Exeter University
Georgina Rozario Plymouth Albion
Heidi Shelburg-Naea Wasps
Ally Taft Lichfield
Tornadoes
Francis Archer
Sarah Beale Leos
Samantha Bree Worcester
Rachel Broadhurst Waterloo
Rowena Burnfield Richmond
Sam Dale Worcester
Emma Dresser Lichfield
Rachel Fraser Morpeth RFC
Joanna Hart Camp Hill
Sophie Hemming Clifton
Sarah Hunter Lichfield
Laura Keates Worcester
Christina Lee Clifton
Michelle Lloyd Worcester
La Toya Mason Blaydon Team Northumbria
Katy McLean Darlington Mowden Pak Sharks
Davinia Monteiro Wasps
Lois Moulding Lichfield
Karina Page Old Albanian Saints
Darel Poole Bath
Emily Scarratt Lichfield
Katy Storie Blaydon Team Northumbria
Stormers
Natalie Binstead Wasps
April Brown Saracens
Georgina Crabb Richmond
Kimberley Davy Richmond
Elisa Dee Saracens
Amy Garnett Saracens
Hannah Grant Clifton
Sarah Guest Worcester
Kym Hammond Leos
Vicki Jackson Lichfield
Samantha Jamieson Darlington Mowden Pak Sharks
Jane Leonard Wasps
Louise Leonard Blaydon Team Northumbria
Monica Lewinska Clifton
Sarah McKenna Old Albanian Saints
Helen Price Waterloo
Claire Purdy Wasps
Shelley Rae Wasps
Clare Robinson Loughborough
Catherine Spencer Worcester
Alexandra Stevens Lichfield
Hurricanes
TBC
