England unveil training squad for WRWC 2014

from RWCWomens.com:

England’s bid to end a 20-year wait since their only previous Women’s Rugby World Cup title stepped up a notch on Tuesday when coach Gary Street unveiled a 27-strong training squad for next year’s event in France.

Street, who will expand his squad to 30 in the New Year following several players return from injury, will have access to increased training time with the squad from January onwards, seven months out from the showpiece event in Paris.

The selected squad will meet each month, through to August, and there they will also receive enhanced strength and conditioning, nutritional, lifestyle and sports psychologist support.

“This is a really exciting squad of players, 14 of whom contested the WRWC in 2010,” said Street.

“At the same time there are some real quality players who have not been picked. Three players will make up the full complement in the New Year but this squad is by no means a definitive list.

“Players outside of this squad can still be in contention for a RWC spot if they can prove their form and fitness over the next eight months.”

England had to settle for second best on home soil in 2010, losing 13-10 to the Black Ferns at the Twickenham Stoop. Nine players who started that defeat – England’s third in a row in WRWC finals to New Zealand – are named in this training squad, including Maggie Alphonsi and Katy McLean.

“Getting two good wins over France and Canada (this month) has given the whole squad a lift after a tough year in 2013,” said Street. “It proves we still have real quality in our ranks and that’s important for us going into the Six Nations next year.

“Those wins also underline that having consistent and more camp time with our players makes a significant difference and I am confident that having more quality time with the players, starting next year, will put us in a good position come August.”

England WRWC 2014 training squad
Claire Allan (Richmond), Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens), Emma Braund (Lichfield), Rachael Burford (Thurrock), Rochelle Clark (Worcester), Emma Croker (Richmond), Rebecca Essex (Richmond), Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield), Mercedes Foy (Thurrock), Hannah Gallagher (Saracens), Georgina Gulliver (Lichfield), Sophie Hemming (Bristol), Natasha Hunt (Lichfield), Sarah Hunter (Lichfield), Laura Keates (Worcester), Ceri Large (Worcester), La Toya Mason (Wasps), Joanne McGilchrist (Wasps), Katy McLean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Katherine Merchant (Worcester), Marlie Packer (Wasps), Claire Purdy (Wasps), Amber Reed (Bristol), Michaela Staniford (Wasps), Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Lydia Thompson (Worcester), Kay Wilson (Bristol).