England Women’s squad announced for Nations Cup by Julia Hutton

England Women’s Head Coach Gary Street has today (Wednesday) named his squad to compete in next month’s Nations Cup in Toronto, Canada.

England head across the Atlantic as reigning Nations Cup champions having completed a clean sweep of wins against Canada and the USA 12 months ago. This time around England will also face South Africa and their Six Nations rivals France.

Wasps’ Heather Fisher is the only uncapped player in the squad having impressed at England’s training camp last week and during England’s 7s World Cup campaign earlier this year.

The Nations Cup is the start of a busy 12 months for England with autumn internationals against reigning world champions New Zealand, their defence of the RBS 6 Nations championship in February and the 2010 IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup in London in August and September.

Street said: “This is a really strong squad and it has been hard making the final cut of 26 players? but I believe we will be going to Canada in a very strong position.

“Heather is the only uncapped player and she will add physicality and strength to our game against some physically tough opposition like France and South Africa. We are lucky to have so many talented flankers, like Maggie Alphonsi who’s unavailable through injury and Sonia Green and Jane Leonard. It’s been nice to have these selection dilemmas.

“The Nations Cup is the start of a long and important season for us and all the players know that this is their chance to make their mark for the 12 months ahead. It’s very exciting that South Africa and France have joined the tournament. France are one of the toughest sides we play in the Six Nations while South Africa have really improved as a rugby nation, they have most recently shown that in the 7s. Obviously we want to go to Canada to defend our title, but the important thing is that we concentrate on our game, perform to the best of our abilities and keep on improving.”

England Squad:

Claire Allan Saracens
Charlotte Barras Saracens
Sarah Beale Lichfield
Rachael Burford Saracens
Rochelle Clark Team Northumbria
Rebecca Essex Richmond
Heather Fisher Wasps
Amy Garnett Saracens
Sophie Hemming Bristol
Sarah Hunter Lichfield
Karen Jones Richmond
Joanna McGilchrist Wasps
Katy McLean Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
Katherine Merchant Worcester
Kimberley Oliver Bristol
Fiona Pocock Richmond
Claire Purdy Wasps
Sam Reeve Worcester
Alice Richardson Richmond
Georgina Rozario Plymouth Albion
Emily Scarratt Lichfield
Gemma Sharples Worcester
Catherine Spencer Bristol
Katy Storie Team Northumbria
Amy Turner Richmond
Danielle Waterman Team Northumbria

England Nations Cup Playing Schedule:

All games to be played at Appleby College in Toronto

England v USA August 10th KO 1130pm
England v France August 13th KO 630pm
England v South Africa August 19th KO 930pm
England v Canada August 22nd KO 10pm