England Women's team announced for the 6 Nations Opener
JAN
England Head Coach Gary Street has named his starting line-up for the opening game of the RBS 6 Nations against Wales on February 6th, kick off 7pm at Esher RFC.
England are the reigning Six Nations champions and will be aiming to secure an unprecedented fifth consecutive title ahead of the Women's Rugby World Cup 2010 which kicks off at the Surrey Sports Park on August 20th.
Street has largely stuck with the winning team that defeated current world champions New Zealand in the Investec Challenge Double Header in November, making only one change to the starting line-up with Fiona Pocock replacing the injured Charlotte Barras on the wing.
On the bench, England have a wealth of experience welcoming back Team Northumbria's Rochelle Clark from injury, while La Toya Mason, Rowena Burnfield and Michaela Staniford are all called up.
Street said: "After our win against New Zealand I have kept faith in the team making only one change. There is a genuine buzz in the squad and we want to keep the momentum going post that victory in the autumn. This is certainly the best team I was able to select.
"I am delighted to welcome back Rochelle Clark who is one of the world's best props, while this is a real opportunity for La Toya, Rowena and Michaela who were the stand out players for the England A team against New Zealand. At the same time we also have Alice Richardson and Tamara Taylor on the bench and they are quality players."
With just seven months until the start of the world cup, the Six Nations is a real chance for the players and all the teams involved to put their final preparations into practice, but Street however insists that his number one priority is the Six Nations.
He added: "We won't get distracted by the world cup. Our priority at the moment is the Six Nations. We have got to get the job done against Wales first off and then we will take on the rest of our rivals. Yes this is important preparation for the world cup but our current aim is to play as well as we can in the Six Nations."
England will be captained by Bristol No. 8 Catherine Spencer, with Darlington Mowden Park Sharks' Katy McLean as vice captain.
England team v Wales
15 Claire Allan Richmond
14 Katherine Merchant Worcester
13 Emily Scarratt Lichfield
12 Rachael Burford Richmond
11 Fiona Pocock Richmond
10 Katy Mclean (VC) Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
9 Amy Turner Richmond
1 Claire Purdy Wasps
2 Amy Garnett Saracens
3 Sophie Hemming Bristol
4 Rebecca Essex Richmond
5 Joanna McGilchrist Wasps
6 Heather Fisher Worcester
7 Margaret Alphonsi Saracens
8 Catherine Spencer (C) Bristol
Replacements:
16 Samantha Reeve Worcester
17 Rochelle Clark Team Northumbria
18 Rowena Burnfield Richmond
19 Tamara Taylor Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
20 La Toya Mason Wasps
21 Alice Richardson Richmond
22 Michaela Staniford Wasps
