England Women’s Euro 7s squad announced

Posted on Jun 30, 2010 in Rugby News

The England Women’s squad to defend their European 7s title in Russia next month has been announced. England have named a strong outfit which includes five capped players, even though none of England’s 2010 XV’s world cup players will be taking part in the Moscow tournament on July 10th and 11th. Last season England won the European 7s title by beating Spain 20-12 in the final.

The squad will be led by co-captains Sonia Green and Michaela Staniford. Both are experienced 7s specialists with Wasps wing Staniford involved in last year’s Rugby World Cup 7s campaign in Dubai, which saw England win the Plate.

England will be coached by Barry Maddocks and Susie Appleby. Head Coach Maddocks said: “We have got a nice blend of experience and up and coming players in this squad. Both Sonia and Michaela are proven 7s players and they will lead the team well while the likes of Fran Matthews and Kim Oliver are England regulars. This will also be a great opportunity for the likes of Hannah Field and Rose Fong from the England Under 20s. Although this is our one and only 7s tournament of the season we are determined to retain our title.”

In the pool stages, England will play Sweden, Italy and Germany on Saturday July 10th. They will also play France on Sunday 11th in the final pool match before the knock out stages commence that day.

England 7s

• Sonia Green ~ Saracens
• Gemma Sharples ~ Worcester
• Michaela Staniford ~ Wasps
• Hannah Field ~ Wasps
• Sarah Guest ~ Worcester
• Georgina Roberts Darlington ~ Mowden Park Sharks
• Jennifer Edwards Darlington ~ Mowden Park Sharks
• Francesca Mathews ~ Richmond
• Kimberley Oliver ~ Bristol
• Rose Fong Darlington ~ Mowden Park Sharks

England women score impressive victory over NZ

Posted on Nov 23, 2009 in Rugby News

England 10 New Zealand 3

England Women recorded their first victory over world champions New Zealand in eight years  in the Investec Challenge Double Header at Twickenham on Saturday with an impressive 10-3 win.

England, who last defeated the triple world champions in 2001, bounced back from a 16-3 defeat seven day ago to record the historic win just nine months before the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010 in London.

The Red Roses, playing in front of a record crowd of 12,500, were in impressive form, scoring the only try of the match courtesy of skipper Catherine Spencer. The Bristol No.8, on her 50th cap, also went on to win the Investec Women of the Match award. Vice-captain Katy McLean also stoked over the conversion and a second half drop goal.

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England team to face NZ – Shaw, Worsley & Erinle in

Posted on Nov 19, 2009 in Rugby News

England have made three changes in personnel to the side to face New Zealand in the Investec Challenge international at Twickenham on Saturday (2.30pm).

London Wasps lock Simon Shaw, flanker Joe Worsley and Biarritz centre Ayoola Erinle come into the starting line-up and there is a positional switch at full back where Mark Cueto trades places with Ugo Monye.

Shaw takes over from Louis Deacon and wins his 53rd cap at the age of 36, former Wasps and Leicester centre Erinle makes his first start in place of Shane Geraghty (Northampton Saints) and experienced Wasps flanker Worsley replaces Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers) in the back row.

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England Women must now wait for Twickenham to conquer Ferns

Posted on Nov 17, 2009 in Rugby News

England 3 New Zealand 16

England Women will have to wait until Saturday November 21st to have a second chance of conquering the reigning world champions New Zealand after today (Saturday) succumbing to a 16-3 defeat at Esher RFC.

In their first meeting against the Black Ferns since the 2006 Rugby World Cup final England produced a determined and gutsy performance but were let down by ill discipline in the first half which then left them playing catch-up in the second half.

England, however, will not get a better stage than Twickenham Stadium to reek their revenge when they compete in the Investec Challenge Double Header in a week’s time. The rematch kicks off immediately after the men’s match at 445pm, with entry to the stadium free at 415pm.

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England Women’s team announced for New Zealand test

Posted on Nov 4, 2009 in Rugby News

The England Women’s team to face world champions New Zealand for the first of three tests in November has today (Tuesday) been announced.

The reigning RBS 6 Nations and Nations Cup champions take on the Black Ferns for the first time since the 2006 IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup final on November 14th at Esher RFC, kick off 4pm.

England narrowly lost their last encounter 25-17 but will be hoping to turn the tables ahead of the 2010 IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup in London which is just nine months away.

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