Richmond's Fran Matthews starts for England A

The England Women’s A team to take on the world champions New Zealand on November 17th, kick off 7pm at Esher RFC, has today (Tuesday) been announced.

England A take on the Black Ferns as part of a three test series for the New Zealanders. New Zealand will also play England on November 14th at Esher RFC, kick off 4pm, and at Twickenham Stadium on November 21st as part of the Investec Challenge Double Header. Entry to the game at Twickenham is free after 415pm. Kick off is at 445pm.

England A Head Coach Mike Barnett has selected a strong squad which includes Bristol’s Kim Oliver, Wasps’ Michaela Staniford and Richmond’s Fran Matthews who share 70 caps between them. Saracens’ Sonia Green will captain the side. In total there are 11 players in the 22 who have all been capped.

England A Head Coach Mike Barnett said: “I am really pleased with the quality of players we have been able to select for this match. This is a massive game for England A so it’s great to be able to call on such experienced players. Sonia is captain, but our capped players will also be able to offer her leadership support. At the same time we have some very talented younger players such as Laura Keates, Marlie Packer and Charlotte Male. They are stepping up from the under 20s so this is a big opportunity for them, as it is for all the players with the 2010 IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup in London just around the corner.

“New Zealand will no doubt come over here as a very experienced side. Their players will be very comfortable on the ball, and will have a great game understanding. They have a rugby culture which is second to none, so it’s up to us to match them and cause them as many problems as we can, and at the same time keep our defence very tight.”

England A

• 15 Georgina Roberts Darlington Mowden Sharks
• 14 Francesca Matthews Richmond
• 13 Michaela Staniford Wasps
• 12 Kimberley Oliver Bristol
• 11 Amber Penrith Worcester
• 10 Danielle Knight Lichfield
• 9 La Toya Mason Wasps
• 1 Laura Keates Worcester
• 2 Olivia Poore Lichfield
• 3 Monica Lewinska Bristol
• 4 Natalie Binstead Wasps
• 5 Rowena Burnfield Richmond
• 6 Marlie Packer Bristol
• 7 Gemma Sharples Worcester
• 8 Sonia Green Saracens Captain

Replacements:

• 16 Emma Layland Richmond
• 17 Charlotte Male Bristol
• 18 Sara Anastasi Richmond
• 19 Isabelle Noel-Smith Bristol
• 20 Georgina Rozario Bristol
• 21 Abi Chamberlain Richmond
• 22 Natasha Hunt Bristol

Grewcock, who pleaded guilty before a Rugby Football Union Disciplinary Panel of Jeremy Summers (chairman), Philip Evans and Michael White at the London Bloomsbury Holiday Inn, is suspended from November 5 – the date of his suspension by Bath – until November 18. He can play again on November 19.

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

The England test side to play Australia in the Investec Challenge series on Saturday, November 7, will be announced tomorrow via the news wires at 12.00pm.

The England 32 man squad will re-convene on Sunday November 8.

The ten players are:

• Steffon Armitage London Irish
• David Barnes Bath Rugby
• George Chuter Leicester Tigers
• Ben Foden Northampton Saints
• Ben Kay Leicester Tigers
• Nick Kennedy London Irish
• David Strettle Harlequins
• Mathew Tait Sale Sharks
• Richard Wigglesworth Sale Sharks
• Joe Worsley London Wasps