From now on, caps will now be awarded to all Wales Sevens internationals, but in recognition of all the players who have previously played the shortened game for Wales, a ceremonial ‘first cap’ was presented to Mrs Janine Hillman, Colin Hillman’s widow as a tribute to her husband’s services to Sevens rugby in Wales.

Colin Hillman played and coached first class rugby in the fifteen a side game but was best known for his Sevens expertise.

He coached Wales at Sevens tournaments around the world including the Commonwealth Games. In 2002, he became the Spanish national Sevens coached but at the start of last season, he was appointed technical advisor to the Wales Sevens squad and is credited by Paul John and his coaches and players as having had a major influence on their preparations and success at last season’s Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai. He died in July after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Sevens has recently become an Olympic sport, with the competition entered into the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.

WRU president Dennis Gethin presented the caps to the Hillman family and the Rugby World Cup winning Sevens squad at the pre-match reception at the Millennium Stadium today.

He also made a presentation to Rhodri Morgan who attended his last Wales international as First Minister.

WRU chairman David Pickering said, “Awarding caps to Wales Sevens internationals represents the increased significance of Sevens rugby to our game. The historic decision has recently been made to return rugby union to the Olympic Games, in the form of Rugby Sevens and there is no doubt about the increased importance of Sevens around the world, with players, coaches and administrators recognising the attractions of the shortened game.

“Colin Hillman was an inspirational leader in the field of Sevens. I played under him in 1987 when he led us to the Dubai Sevens title so it is symbolic that some 22 years later, he was involved in the WRU’s first world trophy success, at the Dubai Rugby World Cup Sevens.

“It is fitting that we should also pay tribute to First Minister Rhodri Morgan today as four years ago he asked us to fly the flag for Wales through our Sevens team, not only through achieving success on the field, but by carrying Wales’ corporate identity around the world.

“Rhodri has made a huge contribution to Welsh life during his tenure as First Minister. His interest in sport and rugby in particular is well known, and he must be delighted that under his stewardship the greatest sporting event in the world, the Olympic Games was confirmed as coming to Cardiff and Wales.

“On behalf of all of Welsh rugby, I wish him well in his retirement.”

WRU Head of Rugby, Performance and Development Joe Lydon said, “Colin Hillman did so much to put Welsh Sevens on the map. As coaches, we came up against each other on the Sevens circuit, including in a Hong Kong Sevens semi-final and he was not only a great coach but a fantastic human being.

“In awarding caps to Sevens players, we want to also recognise all those who have helped develop Wales Sevens especially David Rees and Gareth Baber, Paul John’s predecessors, and David Jenkins who has been Wales Sevens team manager since the WRU re-joined the IRB Sevens circuit in 2005.”

Wales Sevens head coach Paul John said, “Colin was such a guiding influence on Sevens rugby in Wales, and had a huge impact on us as a playing and coaching group last season, and our successful Rugby World Cup Sevens campaign. He would be very pleased to see the developments in Wales Sevens, including the facilities we now enjoy, the decision to contract core players, and to recognise Sevens players in this way.”

Catt will play at inside centre on a pitch that he knows intimately from his 12 years with the West Country club. The England Rugby World Cup winner is one of four changes to the starting line-up of the London Irish team that played Newcastle Falcons last weekend.

In the front row David Paice and Alex Corbisiero start at hooker and tight head prop respectively while Richard Thorpe comes into the back row at blindside flanker. Having completed his duties with England, Paul Hodgson returns to the match squad where he is named among the replacements.

“We are not used to losing in the Guinness Premiership and want to return to winning ways tomorrow evening,” said Toby Booth, London Irish Head Coach. “We’ve trained exceptionally well and honestly after last weekend’s disappointment and are expecting to perform much more competitively against Bath.”

Team:

15. Jamie Lennard; 14. Peter Hewat; 13. Elvis Seveali’i; 12. Mike Catt; 11. John Rudd; 10. Ryan Lamb; 9. Peter Richards; 1. Clarke Dermody; 2. David Paice; 3. Alex Corbisiero; 4. Nick Kennedy; 5. Bob Casey (captain); 6. Richard Thorpe; 7. Steffon Armitage; 8. Chris Hala’Ufia.

Replacements:

16. Danie Coetzee; 17. Dan Murphy; 18. Max Lahiff; 19. Kieran Roche; 20. Jonathon Fisher; 21. Marcus Watson; 22. Paul Hodgson; 23. Chris Malone.

Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe launches the Women's Rugby World Cup 2010

England’s Women will head into next year’s World Cup with a historic win over the Black Ferns and a ringing endorsement for rugby from Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe.

Catherine Spencer led her team to a 10-3 win in front of 12,500 at Twickenham Stadium and was back at Twickenham Stadium 48 hours later to launch the IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010.

Also in the cast was Sutcliffe who told the RFU Podcast: “We are trying to make sure that we can attract world class events and the World Cup is a significant event.

“What we want is for that to inspire young women and girls into rugby. We are already pleased with the increasing participation figures for women’s rugby (35 per cent percent growth) and we believe that a tournament of this nature will help that continue.

“There’s been great thought gone into the event so yes, we will stage a wonderful tournament of rugby, but behind that there will be a legacy about how we increase people’s social and education skills and health benefits by making sure there are programmes around the competition.”

Spencer meanwhile is putting behind her the euphoria of her player of the match winning contributioin for a first victory over New Zealand in eight years to focus on the challenge in South West London next August.

We hear from Spencer as well as:

* Martyn Thomas – on hosting two Rugby World Cups in a decade of sport

* Rob Andrew – on England’s Investec Challenge series

* Dan Vickerman and Dan Rosen – of Cambridge and Oxford universities ahead of the December 10 Nomura Varsity match at Twickenham

Listen to the RFU Podcast here

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

The premier 15-aside tournament in the women’s game, which will be played from next August 20 to September 5, will feature three pools of four teams with defending champions New Zealand, hosts and 2006 runners-up England and 2006 bronze medalists France all ranked top seeds in their pool.

The unprecedented qualification process, which saw 16 teams compete for the six places available outside the automatically qualified teams, was completed when Kazakhstan defeated Japan 43-5 to claim a place in Pool B, while Sweden join Pool C in their first appearance on the Women’s Rugby World Cup stage since 1998.

New Zealand, England, France, Canada, USA and South Africa all qualified directly, with Wales and Ireland qualifying through the Six Nations, Sweden and Scotland from the European qualifiers in May, Australia as the Oceania qualifier and Kazakhstan from Asia.

Newly appointed Scotland Women’s coach, Gary Parker, has just completed the first of the season’s training camps with the Scotland squad.

He said: “It’s a tough draw but there are no easy games in the World Cup competition.

“Fortunately we have a good opportunity to analyse each of our pool opponents by revisiting our 6 Nations preparation fixture against Sweden, which we won 32-0, while Canada’s match against France this week will also provide some useful footage.

“We have just completed an excellent two-day training camp where the intensity of the players was superb. We have a few adjustments to make to improve a few things but I’m confident in the players and the time we have that we will be able to challenge and develop the players for the 6 Nations, first and foremost, and the 2010 Women’s Rugby World Cup after that.

“The 6 Nations is the immediate challenge and priority for us which starts against France at home in February. All of our efforts and concentration will be geared towards that as it’s important that we get our preparation and performances right.”

• Pool A: New Zealand, Wales, Australia, South Africa
• Pool B: England, USA, Ireland, Kazakhstan
• Pool C: France, Canada, Scotland, Sweden

An Expert Determination Panel was asked by the SANZAR Executive Committee to decide on the location of the 15^th Super Rugby team.  The Experts were former Rugby World Cup-winning captain David Kirk and retired New Zealand High Court Judge, the Hon Barry Paterson QC.

The key reasons for the Experts selecting Melbourne over the other applicant, the Southern Kings from South Africa, were:

• The Experts commented that both applicants were able to point to excellent infrastructure support, and both provided sound business plans and financial forecasts, with the support of their National Unions, guaranteeing financial viability.

• The Southern Kings proposal was more advanced with regard to business and financial planning and organization structure and governance.  The Southern Kings were also able to point to a strong rugby tradition, a large playing base and presented a stronger case than Melbourne as to their rugby readiness.

• These strengths of the Southern King’s Application did not, however, offset the benefits in geographical location and commercial value to SANZAR (both of which criteria the Experts were asked to place considerable weight on) that the Melbourne Application was able to deliver.

• The 15^th Super Rugby team will play in the Australian Conference under the new Super Rugby competition format from 2011.  This means they will play both home and away against the other four Australian Conference teams.    As a result the Southern Kings would be required to make two crossings of the Indian Ocean in a season. The local derby aspect of matches in Australia, an important issue for generating attendances and broadcasting value, would also have been diluted and it would not have been possible to schedule at least two matches in each country each weekend.  In addition having the team resident in South Africa introduces additional costs to SANZAR of around NZ$720,000 per annum.

• The Melbourne Application provided considerably greater commercial benefit to SANZAR than the Southern Kings Application.  Evidence was provided that revenue from the sale of broadcasting rights to Australasian broadcasters would be reduced by US$15-20m over the course of a five year agreement should the 15^th team be resident in South Africa, with little or no commensurate rise in the value of South African broadcasting revenue.

Media are advised that the members of the Expert Determination Panel will not be making any further comment and any questions should be directed to the SANZAR unions.

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

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

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

A former player with Melrose and Scotland A, and coach with Gala, Melrose and Biggar, Parker was also head coach of the Scotland Club International side in 2006.

Parker said: “I’ve been keen to get into a challenging coaching role since moving on from being coach at Gala. Being involved with Scotland Women in a season that not only features a 6 Nations championship but also a Rugby World Cup will certainly test me as a coach in an environment that’s entirely new.

“As a local director with Royal Bank of Scotland, I’ve been involved on a daily basis with managing people and building teams, experience that I’m sure will be invaluable in this new role.”

Parker, who will be assisted by Hamilton development officer, Jared Tuoro, as they aim to build on the 2010 World Cup qualification achieved earlier this year at the FIRA European Championships, took the opportunity to announce both the Scotland Women and Scotland Women A squads for their respective training camps this Autumn.

Some 33 players have been selected to join the Scotland camp with 18 allocated to Scotland A.

Following a November camp, a Scotland squad will be selected to play Ireland in a training match on Sunday 20 December in Belfast. A further selection will be made, drawing from both squads, building towards the 2010 6 Nations and a series of Scotland A fixtures in the new year.

Instrumental in the initial selection of both sides has been the new Scottish Regional Series, played during September and October. Created to provide performance players with an opportunity to play at more competitive level, the three games bridged the gap between club and international rugby.

Outgoing Scotland Women head coach, Jamie Dempsey, worked as a Scottish Rugby development officer for six years prior to taking up the full-time post and is credited with making a significant contribution to the squad’s progress over the last season.

Scottish Rugby’s head of community rugby, Colin Thomson, said: “Due to increased work and coaching commitments Jamie Dempsey has decided to step down from his position as head coach to the national women’s team.

“Scottish Rugby thanks Jamie for his contribution to that team in ensuring qualification for next year’s IRB Women’s World Cup in England.”