Amy Garnett set to win her 100th cap for England

Garnett became England’s most capped player of all time during last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup. Helen Clayton previously held the record with 88 caps but Garnett surpassed that record playing in the final pool game of the tournament against the USA. Since then the 35-year-old has gone on to feature in the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final, the 2011 RBS 6 Nations and all of England’s Nations Cup games this season.

Garnett is one of 12 changes, five of which are positional, to the starting line-up that defeated Canada 22-10 in the final round robin match of the tournament on Tuesday evening. Garnett teams up with a new look front row for this clash with Claire Purdy and Sophie Hemming at tight head and loose head prop. England captain and vice-captain Katy McLean and Margaret Alphonsi are back in the starting line-up while Kay Wilson and Katherine Merchant are the new faces in the backline for this match.

England Head Coach Gary Street, whose side are looking to defend their Nations Cup crown as well as add to their RBS 6 Nations title this season, said: “This game will mark a milestone in England Women’s rugby history as Amy Garnett becomes the first ever player to win 100 caps. This accolade is a testament to her strength, courage and ability to have had such a long career, and her competitiveness certainly is as fierce today as it was on her first cap.”

England booked their place in the final of the Nations Cup after a 15-11 win over the USA in the tournament opener, a 46-8 victory over South Africa and then the 22-10 win over Canada. Hosts Canada also defeated the USA and South Africa before losing to England in the last round.

Street added: “This has been a hugely rewarding tournament due to its highly competitive edge and the steep learning curve for some of our younger players. We are relishing another chance to play Canada and have picked a strong and experienced side with our talented youngsters likely to be coming off the bench. As a warm up to our autumn internationals, we have had an invaluable training and playing experience.”

Nations Cup match action is available athttp://www.ustream.tv/channel/live-rugby

England

15        Emily  Scarratt                      Lichfield

14        Katherine Merchant                        Worcester

13        ClaireAllan                           Richmond

12        Alice   Richardson               Richmond

11        Kay     Wilson                        Richmond

10        Katy    McLean (C)               Darlington Mowden Park Sharks

9          La Toya          Mason            Wasps

1          Claire             Purdy                         Wasps

2          Amy    Garnett                       Saracens

3          Sophie           Hemming       Bristol

4          Tamara           Taylor             Darlington Mowden Park Sharks

5          Rowena         Burnfield       Richmond

6          Rebecca        Essex             Richmond

7          Margaret        Alphonsi (VC)Saracens

8          SarahHunter                        Lichfield

Replacements:

16        Vicky  Fleetwood                 Lichfield

17        Rochelle        Clark               Worcester

18        JennyBrightmore                Worcester

19        MarliePacker                        Bristol

20        Natasha         Hunt               Lichfield

21        SarahMcKenna                   Old Albanians Saints

22        Michaela        Staniford        Wasps

England Nations Cup playing schedule:

August 2^nd USA v England  WON 15-11

August 5^th South Africa v England WON 46-8

August 9^th Canada v England , WON 22-10

August 13^th Nations Cup Final

 Canada v England,

KO 9pm BST