England Women name experienced team for RBS 6 Nations championship finale

England Women’s Head Coach Gary Street has named his most experienced team for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations championship finale against Ireland at London Irish ARFC, Sunbury, kick-off 445pm.

Street, whose side head into the clash on course to record an unprecedented third consecutive Grand Slam in Six Nations history has made six changes to the starting line-up following England’s 34-5 victory against Scotland on Saturday.

Saracens hooker Amy Garnett returns to the front-row with Richmond’s Emma Layland moving to the bench. Her club teammate Maggie Alphonsi is also back in at flanker after injury, replacing Jane Leonard. Katy McLean starts at fly-half with Clifton’s Danielle Waterman also back on the wing. England’s top try scorer in the championship so far this season, Claire Allan, also starts in the centre with Saracens’ Charlotte Barras back in at full-back.

Street said: “This is my most experienced team and the side that clinched a record away win against France last month. For us, this is just another game. We are not thinking about the Grand Slam or the Six Nations title. That has been our approach throughout the championship and that certainly isn’t about to change. We know Ireland are very competitive opposition so we will have to be at the top of our game.”

England last played Ireland in the RBS 6 Nations a year ago and won 32-0 at Thomand Park. Ireland go into this game with two wins from four outings under their belts after a disappointing defeat to Wales at the weekend.

Street added: “I was surprised to see Ireland lose to Wales. I have been impressed with what they have been doing over the years so one disappointing defeat is not going to change my opinion of them. This is the last game of the championship and it’s their chance to claim a major scalp. They’ll certainly be out to make a statement.”

England

1 Rochelle Clark (Henley)
2 Amy Garnett (Saracens)
3 Katy Storie (Blaydon Team Northumbria)
4 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
5 Joanna McGilchrist (Wasps)
6 Sarah Hunter (Lichfield)
7 Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens)
8 Catherine Spencer (C) (Worcester)
9 Amy Turner (Richmond)
10 Katy McLean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
11 Danielle Waterman (Clifton)
12 Rachael Burford (Saracens)
13 Claire Allan (Saracens)
14 Michaela Staniford (Wasps)
15 Charlotte Barras (Saracens)
Replacements:
16 Emma Layland (Richmond)
17 Sophie Hemming (Clifton)
18 Sarah Beale (Leos)
19 Karen Jones (Richmond)
20 Alice Richardson (Richmond)
21 Katherine Merchant (Worcester)
22 Victoria Massarella (Saracens)



England Women name experienced team for RBS 6 Nations championship finale
by Julia Hutton