England Women’s team announced for senior Nations Cup Opener

August 10th, 2009



England Women’s Head Coach Gary Street has named his team for tonight’s (Monday) Nations Cup opener against the USA, kick off 1130pm BST, in Toronto, Canada.

The defending Nations Cup champions have named a strong starting line-up for the opening clash of the tournament, which includes Bristol’s Catherine Spencer as captain and Darlington Mowden Parks’ Katy McLean as vice captain. Wasps’ Heather Fisher will also make her first start for England following her impressive performances for England in this year’s Rugby World Cup 7s which saw England lift the Plate title.

England Captain Spencer said: “Preparations have been going really well out here in Canada and now we’re really excited to take to the field for our first game against the USA. The USA are a very physical outfit and there’s no doubt that this first test will be a seriously tough challenge for us.”

Flanker Fisher added: “I am hugely excited about getting my first cap. I have been lucky enough to have been capped for England in the Rugby World Cup 7s but this is my first senior XVs start. Having waited a very long time for this honour I’ll definitely be making the most of this opportunity. The USA will be very physical and as a number 7 this is exactly the sort of game I like to play.”

The Nations Cup is the start of a busy season for the England team, with the IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup in London in 12 months. Before that England will also play the reigning World Champions New Zealand in three back-to-back tests, including the Investec Challenge Series Double Header at Twickenham Stadium on November 21st. They will also begin their defence of the RBS 6 Nations in February.

The Nations Cup provides England with an ideal competitive start to the new season with the USA, Canada, France and South Africa all involved, with all but South Africa finishing in the top five of the last rugby world cup in 2006.

England Head Coach Street added: “The Nations Cup is a great opportunity to play quality opposition. Our preparations have been excellent and the USA will be a fantastic test. We are expecting a tough physical contest as part of this four game tournament but this will give us an ideal build up towards the Rugby World Cup in London next year.”

France are also in action tonight against South Africa, kick-off 930pm.

You can watch all the Nations Cup games on http://www.ustream.tv/channel/live-rugby

England

15 Charlotte Barras Saracens
14 Katherine Merchant Worcester
13 Emily Scarratt Lichfield
12 Alice Richardson Richmond
11 Fiona Pocock Richmond
10 Katy McLean Darlington Mowden Park Sharks VC
9 Amy Turner Richmond
1 Rochelle Clark Team Northumbria
2 Amy Garnett Saracens
3 Sophie Hemming Bristol Rugby
4 Sarah Beale Lichfield
5 Jo McGilchrist Wasps
6 Karen Jones Richmond
7 Heather Fisher Wasps
8 Catherine Spencer Bristol Rugby Captain
Replacements:
16 Claire Purdy Wasps
17 Katy Storie Team Northumbria
18 Becky Essex Richmond
19 Gemma Sharples Worcester
20 Georgina Rozario Plymouth Albion
21 Danielle Waterman Team Northumbria
22 Kim Oliver Bristol Rugby

England Nations Cup playing schedule:

All games to be played at Appleby College in Toronto. KO’s all BST

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

Ends…

by Julia Hutton