England Women's Team to face Ireland


By RFU Press Release -Julia Hutton
February 23 2010

England Women's team announced for Ireland RBS 6 Nations encounter

England Women's Team for Ireland 2010

 
Richmond's Fiona Pocock starts at full back

England Head Coach Gary Street has named his team for Sunday's RBS 6 Nations clash against Ireland, kick off 3pm at Esher RFC.

Street, whose side top the Six Nations table with two wins from two outings, has made a number of changes which sees Sophie Hemming, Joanna McGilchrist, Margaret Alphonsi, Katy McLean and Katherine Merchant all back in the starting line-up.

He has also made a number of positional changes including Richmond's Fiona Pocock starting at full back and Alice Richardson moving from fly half to centre. Richmond's Amy Turner also returns from injury for the first time since England's historic win over world champions New Zealand in November.

Street, whose side is targeting a fifth successive and record breaking title ahead of the 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup, said: "This is certainly the strongest 22 I can select and I think the quality of our bench really stands out.

"Fiona Pocock will make her first start for England at fullback. She is a regular for Richmond in that position and I have been really impressed with the way she has played for her club this season. With three great backs it is another exciting combination to try out before the world cup."

England head into Sunday's game without conceding a single point in the tournament, but Street knows that record will be hard to keep against a spirited Irish outfit.

He added: "We have worked really hard on our defence this season and that has paid off - we have only conceded one try in eight hours of play which is a good record. Ireland, however, will be very competitive. I know they fancy their chances against us and they will come over here expecting to win. They are very competitive up front and have some good backs so we must ensure that we are on top of our game this Sunday."

The 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup kicks off on August 20th at Surrey Sports Park in Guildford, with the semi finals and final being held at the Stoop in September. Tickets for the WRWC will be available from Ticketmaster from March 22nd.

England

15 Fiona Pocock Richmond
14 Katherine Merchant Worcester
13 Emily Scarratt Lichfield
12 Alice Richardson Richmond
11 Michaela Staniford Wasps
10 Katy Mclean (VC) Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
9 La Toya Mason Wasps
1 Rochelle Clark Team Northumbria
2 Amy Garnett Saracens
3 Sophie Hemming Bristol
4 Tamara Taylor Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
5 Joanna McGilchrist Wasps
6 Heather Fisher Worcester
7 Margaret Alphonsi Saracens
8 Catherine Spencer (C) Bristol
Replacements:
16 Samantha Reeve Worcester
17 Claire Purdy Wasps
18 Rebecca Essex Richmond
19 Jane Leonard Lichfield / Army
20 Amy Turner Richmond
21 Rachael Burford Richmond
22 Claire Allan Richmond


England's RBS 6 Nations Fixtures & Results:

England v Wales, Feb 6th, Esher RFC, KO 7pm WON 31-0
Italy v England, Feb 13th, Noceto, KO 230pm WON 41-0
England v Ireland, Feb 28th, Esher RFC, KO 3pm
Scotland v England, March 13th, Meggatland, KO 130pm
France v England, March 19th, Rennes Stade Vellodrome, KO 8pm

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England Women's Team to face Ireland
Discussion started by Unofficial England Rugby Union , 23/02/2010 16:07
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23/02/2010 16:07
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England Women Rugby
25/02/2010 10:32
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England Captain Catherine Spencer


England Captain Catherine Spencer says her side will be looking to continue their impressive defensive efforts this Sunday when they face Ireland in the RBS 6 Nations at Esher RFC, kick off 3pm.

Spencer has so far led England to victories over Wales and Italy and the reigning champions have so found gone without conceding a single point. In fact the last time an international side crossed England's line was in November when world champions New Zealand touched down for a single try.

"Ireland have a strong team and play great attacking rugby so once again we will need to ensure that our defence is watertight," said Spencer, whose side are targeting a fifth successive Six Nations crown. "We have worked hard on our defence over the last couple of years and this work is really coming to fruition.

"The urgency in defence throughout the squad has been really impressive and we'll certainly aim to replicate these great defensive performances against Ireland on Sunday. Having said that we will want to go into the game with a positive attacking attitude as well, and with our back three of Fiona Pocock, Katherine Merchant and Michaela Staniford we have the potential to attack from anywhere."

Ireland are, however, a side who have pushed England hard over the past couple of seasons and Spencer is more that aware of the threats they'll pose.

She added: "After a week off from Six Nations action we're very much looking forward to our next game against Ireland. We've had some close games against them over the last couple of years so we are fully prepared for a tough fixture.

"Up front Ireland have a powerful pack so we will need to ensure that we are switched on in this area from the first whistle as we won't want them to gain any momentum. Sophie Hemming comes back into the starting line up at tight head and we will be looking to our very experienced front row to provide a solid platform."




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:02:25:10:33:26 by England Women Rugby.

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