Garnett wins 100th cap as England name team to face Canada in Nations Cup Final
England and Saracens hooker Amy Garnett will win her 100th cap on Saturday when England Women take on Canada in the Nations Cup final, kick off 9pm BST, at Appleby College in Ontario, Canada.
Garnett became England’s most capped player of all time during last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup. Helen Clayton previously held the record with 88 caps but Garnett surpassed that record playing in the final pool game of the tournament against the USA. Since then the 35-year-old has gone on to feature in the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final, the 2011 RBS 6 Nations and all of England’s Nations Cup games this season.
Garnett is one of 12 changes, five of which are positional, to the starting line-up that defeated Canada 22-10 in the final round robin match of the tournament on Tuesday evening. Garnett teams up with a new look front row for this clash with Claire Purdy and Sophie Hemming at tight head and loose head prop. England captain and vice-captain Katy McLean and Margaret Alphonsi are back in the starting line-up while Kay Wilson and Katherine Merchant are the new faces in the backline for this match.
England Head Coach Gary Street, whose side are looking to defend their Nations Cup crown as well as add to their RBS 6 Nations title this season, said: “This game will mark a milestone in England Women’s rugby history as Amy Garnett becomes the first ever player to win 100 caps. This accolade is a testament to her strength, courage and ability to have had such a long career, and her competitiveness certainly is as fierce today as it was on her first cap.”
England booked their place in the final of the Nations Cup after a 15-11 win over the USA in the tournament opener, a 46-8 victory over South Africa and then the 22-10 win over Canada. Hosts Canada also defeated the USA and South Africa before losing to England in the last round.
Street added: “This has been a hugely rewarding tournament due to its highly competitive edge and the steep learning curve for some of our younger players. We are relishing another chance to play Canada and have picked a strong and experienced side with our talented youngsters likely to be coming off the bench. As a warm up to our autumn internationals, we have had an invaluable training and playing experience.”
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