No change for England Women ahead of RBS 6 Nations showdown
England Women's Head Coach Gary Street has named an unchanged 22 for Saturday's crunch RBS 6 Nations match against Scotland at London Welsh RFC, kick-off 130pm.
Street has stuck with the same squad that defeated France so emphatically on Sunday, winning 52-7, and he's hoping for more of the same against Scotland as England aim to lift an unprecedented fourth consecutive Six Nations crown.
England head into the fixture knowing that they must beat Scotland, whilst hoping at the same time Wales and Ireland do not record cricket score wins when they play each other on Saturday at Taffs Well RFC in Cardiff. England, Wales and Ireland all have six points at the top of the Six Nations table but the Red Roses currently have a far superior points' difference.
Street said: "This is another massive game for us, and we know we must win if we are to keep our Six Nations title ambitions alive.
"I haven't made any changes to the squad because everyone did such a fantastic job on Sunday against a very good French side. The quality of this team is shown by the quality of players who aren't in the squad. We have got world class players, who will be running out for England A on Saturday against the Nomads.
"This has been a tough campaign for us, with the Wales defeat and the World Cup Sevens going on, but that has made this squad stronger, and we have learnt some huge lessons, so they should be given another chance against Scotland."
England last played Scotland in last season's RBS 6 Nations and won 34-5 in Edinburgh.
Street added: "There is a long history of rivalry between England and Scotland, so I've no doubt that both sides will be really up for this fixture. Like us Scotland have much to play for this weekend, as they are still fighting for a place in next year's IRB Rugby World Cup. Last year, they put on a real fight against us, and I am sure it will be much the same on Saturday."
England
1 Rochelle Clark Blaydon 2 Amy Garnett Saracens 3 Sophie Hemming Bristol 4 Rebecca Essex Richmond 5 Joanna McGilchrist Wasps 6 Karen Jones Richmond 7 Margaret Alphonsi Saracens 8 Catherine Spencer Bristol C 9 Amy Turner Richmond 10 Katy McLean Darlington Mowden Park Sharks VC 11 Fiona Pocock Richmond 12 Alice Richardson Richmond 13 Emily Scarratt Lichfield 14 Katherine Merchant Worcester 15 Charlotte Barras Saracens Replacements: 16 Claire Purdy Wasps 17 Katy Storie Blaydon 18 Sarah Hunter Lichfield 19 Gemma Sharples Worcester 20 Georgina Rozario Plymouth Albion 21 Kimberley Oliver Bristol 22 Francesca MatthewsRichmond
England Women RBS 6 Nations Fixtures:
Feb 7th England v Italy 13.30 London Welsh RFC WON 69-13 Feb 14th Wales v England 13.00 Taffs Wells RFC, Cardiff LOST 16-15 Feb 27th Ireland v England 18.30 St. Mary's RFC, Dublin WON 29-13 March 15th England v France 13.30 London Welsh RFC WON 52-7 March 21st England v Scotland 13.30 London Welsh RFC
