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.

Co-Captain Michaela Staniford

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 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.

England Head Coach Gary Street said: “It’s brilliant to win here at Twickenham in front of our biggest ever crowd. Hopefully we have showed the people watching here today and watching on sky what a fantastic sport this is, and how skilful the women’s game is at this level too.

“We won this game because of our physicality, our defence was tremendous and we really believed in ourselves. Catherine Spencer today put on one of the great Twickenham performances. To come out and play as well as she did being captain and earning her 50th cap is amazing. She is a tremendous athlete and brilliant leader of this team.

“From here now the important thing is that we keep moving forward and improving. We know that winning the world cup is not a pipe dream anymore, we can do it and that is our goal for the next nine months.”

Just like seven days ago both New Zealand and England went into the match firing on all cylinders. The opening stages were tense with the tourists close to a score early on when Emily Scarratt’s clearance kick was charged down. Centre Rachael Burford was in support though and England were let off the hook.

New Zealand continued to dominate territory and went close to scoring after a good line-out deep in England’s 22 but they couldn’t get over the line and instead opted for the drop goal which fly-half Rebecca Mahoney stroked over after 12 minutes.

England continued to be clinical and after a good line-out which saw the ball passed through McLean and Burford, Wasps prop Claire Purdy made a tremendous break up-field. Winger Kat Merchant took it on with another great run on the left but was tackled to the ground. England retained possession and recycled the ball out into the midfield with flanker Heather Fisher then taking her chance. A clever ankle tap brought her down, but again England kept the momentum going through Amy Turner, McLean and then Spencer. Spencer then found the space to score. With McLean adding the conversion England went into a 7-3 lead with 25 minutes gone.

The pressure remained and New Zealand went close to scoring before the break but England held firm in defence and kept their lead going into half-time.

England immediately put the Black Ferns under pressure after the restart with a good kick-off that saw the tourists fail to collect the ball. England pounced on the loose ball and Turner got it out to McLean who, in fine kicking form, stroked the ball over for an easy drop goal.

At 10-3 that was where the score stayed for the remainder of the match but the level of intensity never dropped. With the pitch and the ball getting more and more slippery in the wet conditions England couldn’t take advantage of a great break by speedster Merchant who made it 25 metres up-field before being brought down.

New Zealand too had their chance to close the gap with two penalties but Mahoney couldn’t convert, and as their spirits dampened England dominated more and more territory and although they couldn’t convert the pressure into points they had done enough to earn the victory.

England Team

15 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), 14 Katherine Merchant (Worcester), 13 Claire Allan (Richmond), 12 Rachael Burford (Richmond), 11 Charlotte Barras (Saracens), 10 Katy Mclean (VC) (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), 9 Amy Turner (Richmond), 1 Claire Purdy (Wasps), 2 Amy Garnett (Saracens), 3 Sophie Hemming (Bristol), 4 Rebecca Essex (Richmond), 5 Joanna McGilchrist (Wasps),

6 Heather Fisher (Worcester), 7 Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens), 8 Catherine Spencer (C) (Bristol). Replacements: 16 Sam Reeve (Worcester), 17 Rosemarie Crowley (Lichfield), 18 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), 19 Jane Leonard (Team Northumbria / Army), 20 Georgina Rozario (Bristol),

21 Alice Richardson (Richmond), 22 Fiona Pocock (Richmond)

Tries: Spencer

Conversions: Mclean

Penalties:

Drop goal: McLean

Substitutions: Richardson for Burford, Taylor for Essex (HT), Pocock for Barras (53), Crowley for Purdy (61), Leonard for Fisher (65), Reeve for Garnett (67), Rozario for Turner (74).

New Zealand Team

15 Kelly Brazier (Otago)

14 Victoria Grant (Auckland), 13 Huriana Manuel (Auckland), 12 Amiria Rule (Canterbury) VC, 11 Carla Hohepa (Otago), 10 Rebecca Mahony (Wellington), 9 Emma Jensen (Auckland), 1 Ruth McKay (Manawatu), 2 Fiao’o Faamausili (Auckland), 3 Stephanie TeOhaere-Fox (Canterbury), 4 Vita Robinson (Auckland), 5 Victoria Heighway (C) (Auckland), 6 Casey Robertson (Canterbury), 7 Justine Lavea (Auckland), 8 Linda Itunu (Auckland). Replacements: 16 Claire Rowat (Wellington), 17 Kimberly Smith (Canterbury), 18 Beth Mallard (Otago),

19 Olivia Coady (Canterbury), 20 Kendra Cocksedge (Canterbury), 21 Renee Wickcliffe (Auckland), 22 Anika Tiplady (Canterbury)

Tries:

Conversions:

Penalties:

Drop Goal: Mahoney

Half-time score: England 7 New Zealand 3

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.

Deacon, Croft and Geraghty are all named on the bench with Mathew Tait (Sale Sharks) coming into the 22 for the first time this autumn.

England team

• 15 Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks)
• 14 Matt Banahan (Bath Rugby)
• 13 Dan Hipkiss (Leicester Tigers)
• 12 Ayoola Erinle (Biarritz)
• 11 Ugo Monye (Harlequins)
• 10 Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon)
• 9 Paul Hodgson (London Irish)
• 1 Tim Payne (London Wasps)
• 2 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
• 3 Duncan Bell (Bath Rugby)
• 4 Simon Shaw (London Wasps)
• 5 Steve Borthwick (Saracens, captain)
• 6 Joe Worsley (London Wasps)
• 7 Lewis Moody (Leicester Tigers)
• 8 James Haskell (Stade Francais)

Replacements

• 16 Steve Thompson (Brive)
• 17 David Wilson (Bath Rugby)
• 18 Louis Deacon (Leicester Tigers)
• 19 Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers)
• 20 Danny Care (Harlequins)
• 21 Shane Geraghty (Northampton Saints)
• 22 Mathew Tait (Sale Sharks)

England Women name team to face NZ

England Women have named their starting line-up for Saturday’s Investec Challenge Double Header against world champions New Zealand, kick-off 445pm at Twickenham Stadium.

England Head Coach Gary Street has brought in Richmond centre Rachael Burford to the starting line-up with Lichfield’s Emily Scarratt moving to full back. Saracens’ Charlotte Barras also moves to the wing.

RBS 6 Nations champions England head into the match looking to avenge their 16-3 defeat to the Black Ferns last Saturday, and secure an all important win against the world champions just nine months before the Rugby World Cup kicks-off in London.

Street said: “We have made some changes to freshen up our midfield, and bring something new to the table for this final clash against New Zealand. We learned some important lessons last week, and we know we need to be more disciplined and more effective in everything we do this Saturday. If we do that then we know we have the potential to win this game.

“Playing at Twickenham stadium is a massive opportunity for us to show how good this side is, and how skilful women’s rugby is. Certainly being at home for this crucial match is going to give us that extra five percent on the pitch. We are relishing this opportunity.”

England are without six first choice players for the autumn series with Team Northumbria’s Rochelle Clark (hand) and Katy Storie (back), Lichfield’s Sarah Hunter (arm) and Sarah Beale (back), Worcester’s Karen Jones (knee) and Danielle Waterman (acl) all sidelined with injuries.

Entry to the stadium is free at 4:15pm.

England Team

• 15 Emily Scarratt Lichfield
• 14 Katherine Merchant Worcester
• 13 Claire Allan Richmond
• 12 Rachael Burford Richmond
• 11 Charlotte Barras Saracens
• 10 Katy Mclean (VC) Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
• 9 Amy Turner Richmond
• 1 Claire Purdy Wasps
• 2 Amy Garnett Saracens
• 3 Sophie Hemming Bristol
• 4 Rebecca Essex Richmond
• 5 Joanna McGilchrist Wasps
• 6 Heather Fisher Worcester
• 7 Margaret Alphonsi Saracens
• 8 Catherine Spencer (C) Bristol

Replacements:

• 16 Sam Reeve Worcester
• 17 Rosemarie Crowley Lichfield
• 18 Tamara Taylor Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
• 19 Jane Leonard Team Northumbria / Army
• 20 Georgina Rozario Bristol
• 21 Alice Richardson Richmond
• 22 Fiona Pocock Richmond

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.

England Head Coach Gary Street is certainly adamant that England can be second time lucky in seven days time. He said: “This game was a real fact finder for us ahead of the World Cup in 2010, and more immediately next Saturday. We are not a side that lose often, and despite that I am upbeat. We have found out today that they are not super human and we are certainly ready to fight again next Saturday.

“I would have liked better playing conditions today. The wind was problematic and it would have been good if we could have got our solar power backs going, but that’s no excuse. For 30 minutes of the game we were only 3-0 down, and if we had matched that I think it would have been a different story. Instead we made errors and they added a second penalty and a try just before half time. Then we were left chasing our tails.”

England and New Zealand were evenly matched for most of the first half, and both sides made a ferocious start. England captain Catherine Spencer led by example and made a good break from the back of a scrum. Worcester flanker Heather Fisher took it on and made a superb break to get the home side in New Zealand’s 22 but the tourists held firm and closed the opportunity out. Instead, New Zealand soon had their first chance at goal but the wind this time played to England’s advantage and their fly half Rebecca Mahony couldn’t convert. She did however just moments later on 14 minutes.

England again showed how powerful they can be in attack with another good pick up from Spencer. Fisher again showed her pace, and with the ball then moving through the midfield Richmond centre Claire Allan was pulled down just short of the line.

New Zealand continued to match England’s efforts though, and clawed their way to a 6-0 advantage with a second penalty goal after half an hour. They were not deterred either when they lost flanker Justine Lavea to the sin-bin, and their No. 8 Casey Robertson minutes later. England, however, didn’t take advantage of the two man advantage and in fact it was New Zealand that crossed for the one and only try of the afternoon. A well worked line-out in England’s 22, with a ruck following, saw the ball popped out to centre Amiria Rule who found a space and dived over the line. Mahony added the conversion to take a 13-0 lead into the break.

England came back out strongly and continued to threaten with some powerful runs by Saracens full back Charlotte Barras, and some great tackles by scrum half Amy Turner and flanker Maggie Alphonsi. Allan was also tight in defence but England had too much work to do, and dropped to a 16-0 deficit after another penalty goal on 46 minutes.

Vice captain Katy McLean had her first chance at goal on 57 minutes, but the wind proved the deciding factor for that kick. She was able to add three points minutes later, but a third kick also went astray on 66 minutes. Instead England held firm and kept pushing in attack, but their efforts went unrewarded.

England Team

15 Charlotte Barras (Saracens), 14 Katherine Merchant (Worcester), 13 Claire Allan (Richmond) , 12 Alice Richardson (Richmond), 11 Fiona Pocock (Richmond), 10 Katy Mclean (VC) (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), 9 Amy Turner (Richmond), 1 Claire Purdy (Wasps), 2 Amy Garnett (Saracens), 3 Sophie Hemming (Bristol), 4 Rebecca Essex (Richmond), 5 Joanna McGilchrist (Wasps)

6 Heather Fisher (Worcester), 7 Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens), 8 Catherine Spencer (C) (Bristol). Replacements: 16 Sam Reeve (Worcester), 17 Rosemarie Crowley (Lichfield), 18 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), 19 Jane Leonard (Team Northumbria / Army), 20 La Toya Mason (Wasps), 21 Rachael Burford (Richmond), 22 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield)

Tries:

Conversions:

Penalties: McLean

Substitutions: Burford for Richardson (49), Taylor for Essex (60), Leonard for Fisher (62), Reeve for Garnett (68), Mason for Turner (71), Crowley for Purdy (76).

New Zealand

15 Kelly Brazier (Otago), 14 Victoria Grant (Auckland), 13 Huriana Manuel (Auckland), 12 Amiria Rule (Canterbury), 11 Carla Hohepa (Otago), 10 Rebecca Mahony (Wellington), 9 Emma Jensen (Auckland), 1 Ruth McKay (Manawatu), 2 Fiao’o Faamausili (Auckland), 3 Stephanie TeOhaere-Fox (Canterbury), 4 Kimberly Smith (Canterbury), 5 Victoria Heighway (C) (Auckland), 6 Linda Itunu (Auckland), 7 Justine Lavea (Auckland), 8 Casey Robertson (Canterbury). Replacements: 16 Claire Rowat (Wellington), 17 Beth Mallard (Otago), 18 Vita Robinson (Auckland), 19 Olivia Coady (Canterbury), 20 Kendra Cocksedge (Canterbury), 22 Anika Tiplady (Canterbury), 21 Renee Wickcliffe (Auckland)

Tries: Rule

Conversions: Mahony

Penalties: Mahony (3).

Substitutions:

Half time score: England 0 New Zealand 13

England Playing Schedule:

• November 14th England v New Zealand, Esher RFC, KO 4pm
• November 17th England A v New Zealand, Esher RFC, KO 7pm
• November 21st England v New Zealand, Twickenham, KO 445pm

Saracens' Maggie Alphonsi returns to action for England

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.

England A will also take on the Black Ferns on November 17th at Esher RFC, kick off 7pm, and then England will back in action against New Zealand at Twickenham Stadium on November 21st, kick off 445pm, in the Investec Challenge Double Header, with entry to the stadium free after 415pm.

England are without five first choice players for the autumn series, with Team Northumbria’s Rochelle Clark (hand) and Katy Storie (back), Lichfield’s Sarah Hunter (arm), Worcester’s Karen Jones (knee) and Danielle Waterman (acl) all sidelined.

There are, however, still over 400 caps shared between the starting line-up, with Bristol’s Catherine Spencer captaining the side. Saracens’ hooker Amy Garnett looks set to win her 80th cap, while Wasps’ La Toya Mason could make her international debut if called off the bench. England also welcome back Saracens’ Maggie Alphonsi and Darlington Mowden Park Sharks’ Tamara Taylor who have been sidelined with long term injuries.

England Head Coach Gary Street said: “Because we have a fantastic international programme, over the last few seasons we have been able to prepare for injury situations like this. It is disappointing that we have so many players injured for this very important period but we do have depth in our squad, and these games will certainly give us the chance to test ourselves against the best opposition in the world ahead of world cup next year.

“Despite losing these players I am delighted to welcome back Maggie Alphonsi and Tamara Taylor who are world class players, and natural leaders. They both played against New Zealand in the last world cup final so they will certainly add an important dimension to our squad.

“Having three games in seven days is going to be a demanding period of rugby for both us and New Zealand. I know they have some new caps in their squad, and I am sure they will be a very talented and determined side. We, however, can’t wait to show them how we have moved on since our last meeting three years ago.”

England Team

• 15 Charlotte Barras Saracens
• 14 Katherine Merchant Worcester
• 13 Emily Scarratt Lichfield
• 12 Alice Richardson Richmond
• 11 Fiona Pocock Richmond
• 10 Katy Mclean (VC) Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
• 9 Amy Turner Richmond
• 1 Claire Purdy Wasps
• 2 Amy Garnett Saracens
• 3 Sophie Hemming Bristol
• 4 Rebecca Essex Richmond
• 5 Joanna McGilchrist Wasps
• 6 Heather Fisher Worcester
• 7 Margaret Alphonsi Saracens
• 8 Catherine Spencer (C) Bristol

Replacements:

• 16 Sam Reeve Worcester
• 17 Rosemarie Crowley Lichfield
• 18 Tamara Taylor Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
• 19 Jane Leonard Team Northumbria / Army
• 20 La Toya Mason Wasps
• 21 Rachael Burford Richmond
• 22 Claire Allan Richmond

England Playing Schedule:

November 14th England v New Zealand, Esher RFC, KO 4pm

November 17th England A v New Zealand, Esher RFC, KO 7pm

November 21st England v New Zealand, Twickenham, KO 445pm