England Women play Canada
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:20
The England Women’s team to take on Canada at Esher RFC on Friday, 29 August has been announced.
England, who are also the reigning Six Nations and European Cup champions, are looking for a Grand Slam of wins this season. They have most recently defeated the USA in back to back games.
After seeing off the North American side 43-9 on Sunday to clinch the Nations Cup crown England coach Gary Street has made a raft of changes.
Karen Jones comes in as captain with Catherine Spencer on the bench. Sophie Hemming and Samantha Dale come into the front row while Sarah Beale starts in the backrow instead of Sarah Hunter.
In the backs there are only two changes with young Fran Matthews taking over from Michaela Staniford in the centre and Kath Merchant replacing Charlotte Barras on the wing.
Street said: “Again, we have made several changes to give everyone in the squad a chance to get on the field and show what they can do.
“Obviously we want to win this game and finish the season on a high, but the important thing is our performance and playing the game how we want to play it.
“Canada gave us a tough game in the first half of Sunday’s match and I am sure they'll be determined to keep their winning momentum going after beating the USA on Tuesday evening.”
England: 15 Danielle Waterman (Clifton), 14 Kat Merchant (Worcester), 13 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), 12 Kim Oliver (Clifton), 11 Fran Matthews (Richmond), 10 Katy McLean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), 9 Amy Turner (Richmond), 8 Karen Jones (Richmond), 7 Maggie Alphonsi (Saracens), 6 Sarah Beale (Leos), 5 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), 4 Jo McGilchrist ( Wasps), 3 Katy Storie (Blaydon Team Northumbria), 2 Samantha Dale (Worcester), 1 Sophie Hemming (Clifton)
Replacements: 16 Amy Garnett (Saracens), 17 Rochelle Clark (Henley), 18 Catherine
Spencer (Bath), 19 Gemma Sharples (Worcester), 20 Georgina Rozario Plymouth Albion21 Alice Richardson (Richmond), 22 Michaela Staniford (Wasps)
Referee: Gareth Hodges
Touch judges: Andrea Ttofa, Claire Daniels
