UK Tour 2007 Updates

The England Women’s team to face the USA on Saturday December 15th at London Irish AFRC, Sunbury, has been announced.

England Head Coach Gary Street, in his first international in charge, has named a starting XV that includes an impressive 241 caps. Worcester No. 8 Catherine Spencer will also be starting her first game as captain.

Street said: “This is a fairly experienced side. All of the starting XV are capped and although some of them only got their first caps last season nearly all of them have worked their way up through the RFUW player pathway system, running out for the Academy, England Under 19s, England A and now the seniors.

“This fixture is a great chance for us to see how the squads have developed over the summer months in pre-season training and from the hard work we have been doing over the autumn. Now all the players are chomping at the bit and can’t wait to get back on the pitch for the first time since winning the RBS 6 Nations in March.”

England last met the USA in a tough opening IRB Rugby World Cup pool match in Canada 14 months ago. Then they overcame a physical and hard-hitting outfit 18-0, but it took until the 51st minute for England to get into their stride.

Street added: “The US are always a very physical side. They are also clearly taking their rugby very seriously, which is underpinned by their commitment to come to England this month and contest a three test tour.

“There’s no doubt we’ll have to play very well against them. They have got some very experienced players who are supremely athletic and who’ll be looking to ensure they will be serious contenders for the 2010 IRB Rugby World Cup.

“They certainly caused us problems just over a year ago and I am expecting more of the same on the 15th, but this is a new period for the England rugby team. With a new management team, a fresh looking squad and a new captain and vice captain we are also looking to set the standard early on.”

Plymouth Albion’s Georgina Rozario and Wasps and Army player Jane Leonard could be set to make their England debuts if they come off the bench.

England team:

1 Rochelle Clark (Henley)

2 Amy Garnett (Saracens)

3 Katy Storie (Blaydon)

4 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park)

5 Joanna McGilchrist (Wasps)

6 Sarah Hunter (Lichfield)

7 Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens)

8 Catherine Spencer (Worcester) (C)

9 Amy Turner (Richmond)

10 Katy McLean (Darlington Mowden Park)

11 Amber Penrith (Cardiff Quins)

12 Rachael Burford (Saracens) (VC)

13 Claire Allan (Saracens)

14 Danielle Watermen (Clifton)

15 Charlotte Barras (Saracens)

Replacements:

16 Emma Layland (Richmond)

17 Sophie Hemming (Clifton)

18 Sarah Beale (Leodiensians)

*19 Jane Leonard (Wasps/Army)

*20 Georgina Rozario (Plymouth Albion)

21 Alice Richardson (Richmond)

22 Michaela Staniford (Wasps)

* uncapped

November 23, 2007 – The USA women’s national team is set to depart for England in a little more than a week, and will face the Nomads in Aylesbury December 8.

The Nomads are an international all-star team much like that of the fames Barbarians. The team started as an English Premiership all-star team.

“A lot of international players come to England while they are still playing for their country or after they have retired from international rugby,” said Nomads manager Fiona Stockley. “They were there to provide stiff competition for England A, and after a while it’s expended to be a more inclusive team.”

Players can only play for the Nomads if they have been capped by a national side, and the current squad contains players 11 countries.

This will be the first match of the Nomads season, which includes two games against England A. Canadian prop Leslie Cripps will captain the side, which features several players familiar with the Eagles, including former England scrumhalf Jo Yapp, fullback and Nomad vice captain Sue Day, also of England, and Ireland fullback Jo O’Sullivan.

This is an experienced and physically tough side.

“We have players whose international experience range from one to over 65 caps,” said Stockley. “And we’re looking forwar
d to playing the USA.”

The Eagles will take on England A December 12 Sunbury, the training ground of London Irish, and they will return on December 15 for the test against England.

England head coach Gary Street named Catherine Spencer England’s new captain for the test.

“Catherine’s game is improving all the time and she is one of the best No. 8s in European rugby,” Street said. Her self assurance and her strong physical presence on the pitch also makes her a natural choice for captain.”

Added Spencer, “our first international of the season is against the USA. It is great that we now have autumn international fixtures and having played them recently in the 2006 Women’s Rugby World Cup we know that they will be very tough opposition but we are all looking forward to the challenge.”

The Saturday, December 8 clash with the Nomads will be a challenge, also, and is expected to be made available on a webcast. Details to come.

Nomads squad for USA test:

Leslie Cripps (Captain) Can
Maxine Edwards Eng
Ollie Davies
Selena Rudge Eng
Lotty Keys Eng
Deena Aiken Aus
Liza Burgess Wales
Megan Gibbs Can
Helen Clayton Eng
Georgia Stevens Eng
Jane Locke Eng
Broni Mac Aus
Claire Frost Eng
Jo Yapp Eng
Susie Appleby Eng
Rimma Petlevannaia Scot
Karen Andrew Eng
Assunta de Biase Eng
Sarah Ulmer Can
Jo O’Sullivan Ireland
Julie Gilbert Can
Non Evans Wales
Sue Day (VC) Eng
Nicki Milne Ireland
Sarah Marsh Eng

Reserves
Eryka Wessell Ireland
Amanda Cahill Samoa
Claire Donovan Wales
Mara Moberg Neth.