England Women's team chosen
Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:25
Katy McLean: Takes a shot at goal
Yet again, eye on the World Cup and confident in the abilities of his players, coach Gary Street has changed his side for Round 4 of the Six Nations. has rung the changes for the Scotland match.
For the first time this season Katy McLean will captain England with captain Catherine Spencer starting on the bench. Karen Jones, Emma Layland and Kim Oliver return to the England squad for the first time this season after some impressive performances for England A.
Fiona Pocock will also make her first start for England at fullback after missing England's 22-5 victory over Ireland because of illness.
Street, whose side are on track to secure a fifth successive Six Nations crown, said: "This is a really strong side - it's the nucleus of the team that played against New Zealand.
"I'm also pleased to welcome back some players with experience. Karen Jones had one of the stand-out performances against Spain for England A as did Kim Oliver. Kim started the last World Cup Final and Karen and Emma were both non-playing reserves so there's a host of experience there. Amber Penrith also had a great game against Italy and so we are bringing in some good players."
England are currently top of the Six Nations table, having conceded just one try against Ireland. Street called it the toughest game they've had in the competition so far but welcomed the challenge ahead of Saturday's Scotland clash.
Street said: "The Ireland game was massively important. We need tough, competitive battles and playing Ireland in the middle of the Six Nations really gave us the chance to make sure we can win, not just with lots of ball in hand and scoring tries, but digging it out with good forwards and good backs defending well. It can only help us in our preparation for the Scotland game, and as a whole ahead of the Women's Rugby World Cup.
"Confidence is higher than I've ever known it. We really believe that we're going in the right direction, not just with the results but with the way we're playing."
England: 15 Fiona Pocock (Richmond), 14 Katherine Merchant (Worcester), 13 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), 12 Kimberley Oliver (Bristol), 11 Amber Penrith (Worcester), 10 Katy Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) (captain), 9 Amy Turner (Richmond), 8 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), 7 Jane Leonard (Army), 6 Sophie Hemming Bristol, 5 Joanna McGilchrist (Wasps), 4 Rebecca Essex (Richmond), 3 Sophie Hemming (Bristol), 2 Emma Layland Richmond, 1 Claire Purdy (Wasps)
Replacements: 16 Amy Garnett (Saracens), 17 Rochelle Clark (Team Northumbria), 18 Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens), 19 Catherine Spencer (Bristol), 20 La Toya Mason (Wasps), 21 Rachael Burford (Richmond), 22 Francesca Matthews (Richmond)
Date: 13 March 2010
Kick-off: 13.30
Venue: Meggatland, Edinburgh
Referee: Paul Haycock (Ireland)
Assistant
referees: Mhairi Hay (Scotland), Kevin McGhee (Scotland)
From Julia Hutton, RFU
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