Alphonsi returns for England

Rugby fans will be able to watch live coverage of England Women’s autumn international clash against Canada on November 13 at the Twickenham Stoop, kick off 7pm, live on www.rfu.com.

The announcement means that England rugby fans won’t miss any of the action this autumn as they can now watch both of England Women’s games live. Sky Sports 2 will broadcast live England’s match against France on November 9 from Twickenham Stadium in 3D HD before www.rfu.com/englandwomenlive host live coverage of England’s all important clash against Canada four days later.

Bristol’s Sasha Acheson is the only uncapped player in this experienced squad. The prop has impressed in the Premiership this season as well as through the RFU Divisional Programme.

England also welcome back Saracens flankers Margaret Alphonsi and Hannah Gallagher. Alphonsi returns to the international fold after 20 months out injured, whilst Gallagher has not played since last season’s Six Nations.

England Head Coach Gary Street said: “This is an exciting squad and the absolute strongest squad I had available which is so important as we focus on this World Cup season. We have got some good preparation time ahead of these fixtures which will stand us in good stead and I am know by the time we play France the players and management team will be eager to kick off our international season with a bang.

“I am delighted to be able to welcome Sasha into the squad. She has had a great start to this season and has been one of the stand out props in the Premiership. She has worked extremely hard to come through the RFU Divisional Programme as well, and that is great testament to her and the staff involved in developing our future talent.

“It is also exciting to welcome back our flanker partnership of Maggie Alphonsi and Hannah Gallagher. To welcome back a player of Maggie’s experience is always a tremendous boost and with Hannah’s return it just adds to the quality of our backrow line-up.”

England will head in the Autumn International Series after a gruelling 2012/2013 season. Street’s side nilled the World Champions New Zealand in a Series whitewash just over a year ago but the Black Ferns reversed that result on New Zealand soil in July. England also finished third in the 2013 Six Nations.

England last played France in the 2013 Six Nations and a young, developing England side were on the wrong end of a 30-20 defeat. The loss also marked England’s first ever defeat at Twickenham Stadium. 

Canada too have enjoyed good wins over England this year, defeating an experimental England side in two games in this summer’s Nations Cup in America. The second victory came in the final which Canada clinched 27-13.

Street added: “It’s fantastic that we have enjoyed so much success in the past but at some point you have to be tested and in 2013 we were. Now, however, we feel we have the depth in the squad we need and I think this could be a very good season for us.

“France and Canada will of course be extremely tough opponents – both are consistently in the top six in world rugby. This is therefore a great opportunity for all of us to see where we are and where we have to keep on improving ahead of the RWC in August 2014.”

Players not considered for selection because of injuries are Danielle Waterman, Heather Fisher, Laura Keates, Alexandra Matthews, Francesca Matthews, Georgina Gulliver, Sally Tuson and Joanne McGilchrist. Street will announce his captain over the coming weeks.

England Squad

Sasha Acheson (Bristol)

Claire Allan   (Richmond)

Margaret        Alphonsi (Saracens)

Emily  Braund           (Lichfield)

Rachael         Burford           (Thurrock)

Rowena         Burnfield       (Richmond)

Rochelle        Clark   (Worcester)

Emma Croker            (Richmond)

Becky Essex (Richmond)

Vicky  Fleetwood     (Lichfield)

Hannah         Gallagher      (Saracens)

Sophie           Hemming       (Bristol)

Natasha         Hunt   (Lichfield)

Sarah Hunter            (Lichfield)

Ceri     Large  (Worcester)

Ruth   Laybourn       (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

La Toya          Mason            (Wasps)

Katy    Mclean           (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

Katherine      Merchant       (Worcester)

Marlie Packer            (Wasps)

Claire Purdy (Wasps)

Amber            Reed  (Bristol)

Emily  Scarratt          (Lichfield)

Michaela        Staniford        (Wasps)

Tamara           Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

Kay Wilson (Bristol)

England Autumn International Series:

Nov 9, England v France, Twickenham Stadium, KO 5.05pm, live on Sky Sports 2.

Free entry to Twickenham Stadium following England Men’s QBE International

Nov 13, England v Canada, The Harlequins Stoop, KO 7pm.  

Tickets are available via www.ticketmaster.co.uk (0844 847 2492)

and www.quins.co.uk (0208 410 6000).

Tickets are priced at £10 for adults and £5 for Under 16s.