John Fletcher: U18 coach

England Under 18 return to action on Sunday against the only side to have dented their impressive 14-match winning run. England, coached by John Fletcher and Peter Walton, haven’t been beaten in an international at this level since an 11-3 defeat against Australia in Brisbane in 2007.

But France – visitors to Newbury this weekend – edged past them in a training game last season and will threaten all over the field, according to former Newcastle Falcons boss Fletcher.

Fly half George Ford (Rishworth & Leicester Tigers) leads the side at Monks Lane and Fletcher makes seven changes to the team that beat Australian Schools 30-28 at Sale in December.

Injured Dulwich College and Harlequins lock Sam Twomey (knee) and Harrow and London Wasps flanker Billy Vunipola are replaced by George Merrick (Whitgift & Harlequins) and Will Skuse (Bryanston & Bath Rugby) respectively, while props Luke Cowan-Dickie (Truro Coll & Exeter Chiefs) and Anthony Brennan (Twyford CofE & London Wasps) make their first starts.

In the backline, Joel Hodgson (RGS Newcastle & Newcastle Falcons) takes over at scrum half, Ryan Mills (Hartpury Coll & Gloucester) comes in at inside centre and Charlie Walker (Oakham & Leicester Tigers) on the left wing.

“We played France last year in a training game – three 20 minute periods – and they beat us by a point after we’d scored three tries each,” said head coach Fletcher.

“They’ll be tough – big aggressive forwards, quick backs. We know what they’ll throw at us and last year they were very strong at Under 17 level.”

England, though, are buoyant after their last outing, when replacement wing Tommy Bell finished off a superb 80 metre attack to secure victory over an older Australian side at Heywood Road.

Fletcher added: “We try and develop players to play a game with a lot of threats, no matter what the opposition do. Wherever they’re looking to defend we look to score somewhere else, driving, kicking, moving the ball wide.

“The current squad are a good bunch. There’s hardly any carry over from last year so it takes time for a new squad to gel but they’ve come together well and that showed in the game they played against Australia. Scoring right at the end to win such a good game was really good for their spirit and morale.”

ENGLAND UNDER 18 (v France at Newbury, Sunday, 3pm)
15 Ben Ransom (Tonbridge & Saracens)
14 Marland Yarde (Whitgift & London Irish)
13 Elliot Daly (Whitgift & London Wasps)
12 Ryan Mills (Hartpury Coll & Gloucester)
11 Charlie Walker (Oakham & Leicester Tigers)
10 George Ford (Rishworth & Leicester Tigers, Captain)
9 Joel Hodgson (RGS Newcastle & Newcastle Falcons)
1 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Truro Coll & Exeter Chiefs)
2 Koree Britton (Ivybridge Coll & Exeter Chiefs)
3 Anthony Brennan (Twyford CofE & London Wasps)
4 George Merrick (Whitgift & Harlequins)
5 Dominic Barrow (Prince Henry’s GS Otley & Leeds Carnegie)
6 Will Skuse (Bryanston & Bath Rugby)
7 Chris Walker (Prince Henry’s GS Otley & Leeds Carnegie)
8 Matt Kvesic (Worcester Sixth Form Coll & Worcester Warriors)

Replacements
16 Nick Auterac (Oaklands Coll & Saracens)
17 Nathan Morris (Sedbergh & Newcastle Falcons)
18 Kyle Sinckler (Epsom Coll & Harlequins)
19 Will Spencer (St Paul’s Catholic Coll & London Wasps)
20 Sam Northcote-Green (Dulwich Coll & London Wasps)
21 Dan Robson (Hartpury Coll & Gloucester Rugby)
22 Jamie Elliott (Bedford & Northampton Saints)
23 Mark Jennings (Lymm HS & Sale Sharks)

Gethin Jenkins has recovered from his calf injury to be named on the bench and, in one of three changes there, he joins fellow Blues players Sam Warburton, who covers the back row, and centre or wing Tom Shanklin.

“Jonathan brings over 50 caps of experience to the tight five and offers us some extra mobility around the field,” said Wales coach Warren Gatland.

“Leigh is a recognised right wing who offers us an extra kicking option and his return to full fitness after limited training in the run up to the England game allows his selection.

“We think we have a very strong bench with the right mix of players each able to make an impact if called upon and are pleased to be able to name Gethin although he will undergo further fitness assessments later in the week.

“Tom Shanklin returns to provide another 65-caps worth of experience as cover for the backs and Sam Warburton comes in as back row cover with JT (Jonathan Thomas) now having been nominated as a starting second row.”

Ryan Jones captains Wales for the 21st time taking him to joint fourth in the all-time list alongside Gareth Thomas and behind Rob Howley and Colin Charvis (22) and Ieuan Evans (28).

And fellow back row forward Martyn Williams reaches two more landmarks, winning his 93rd cap, to put him in third place on the all-time appearance list behind Charvis (94) and Thomas (100), and making his 49th tournament appearance – a Welsh record – putting him in line to become only the eighth player to play 50 championship matches.

“We were all disappointed with the result last weekend but the good news for these players is that they have an opportunity now, just seven days after losing a game we all feel we could have won, to bounce back against Scotland,” added Gatland.

“The championship is by no means over and we are back home at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday looking to kick-start our campaign.

“This is a must win game for us and the Millennium Stadium factor will have a big part to play, as will the fans, and we are all very much looking forward to coming home.”

WALES: Lee Byrne; Leigh Halfpenny, James Hook, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones, Gareth Cooper; Paul James, Gareth Williams, Adam Jones, Jonathan Thomas, Alun Wyn Jones, Andy Powell, Martyn Williams, Ryan Jones (Captain)
REPLACEMENTS: Huw Bennett, Gethin Jenkins, Bradley Davies, Sam Warburton, Richie Rees, Andrew Bishop, Tom Shanklin

WALES

15 Lee BYRNE (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,041)
DoB: 01.06.80. 6’3″ / 1.91m. 15st 9lbs / 99kgs
International record: 28 caps (W 12, L 15, D 1; 35 pts – 7T)

14 Leigh HALFPENNY (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,060)
DoB: 22.12.88. 5’10″ / 1.77m. 13st 1lb / 83kgs
International record: 11 caps (W 5, L 6; 43 pts – 5T, 6PG)

13 James HOOK (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,047)
DoB: 27.06.85. 6’0″ / 1.83m. 14st 12lbs / 94kgs
International record: 38 caps (W 16, L 21, D 1; 214 pts – 7T, 34C, 35PG, 2DG)

12 Jamie ROBERTS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,057)
DoB: 08.11.86. 6’4″ / 1.93m. 16st 10lbs / 107kgs
International record: 17 caps (W 8, L 9; 5 pts – 1T)

11 Shane WILLIAMS (OSPREYS – Cap No 976)
DoB: 26.02.77. 5’7″ / 1.71m. 12st 13lbs / 82kgs
International record: 69 caps (W 33, L 34, D 2; 240 pts – 48T)

10 Stephen JONES (SCARLETS – Cap No 966)
DoB: 08.12.77. 6’1″ / 1.86m. 14st 12lbs / 94kgs
International record: 84 caps (W37, L45, D2; 738 pts – 7T, 122C, 148PG, 5DG)

9 Gareth COOPER (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 985)
DoB: 07.05.79. 5’7″ / 1.71m. 13st 6lbs / 85kgs
International record: 45 caps (W 21, L 24; 45 pts – 9T)

1 Paul JAMES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,021)
DoB: 13.05.82. 6’1″ / 1.86m. 17st 7lbs / 111kgs
International record: 6 caps (W 3, L 3)

2 Gareth WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,010)
DoB: 19.12.78. 5’8″ / 1.73m. 15st 4lbs / 97kgs
International record: 8 caps (W 2, L 6)

3 Adam Rhys JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,018)
DoB: 08.03.81. 6’0″ / 1.83m. 19st 10lb / 125kgs
International record: 57 caps (W 29, L 26, D 2; 10 pts – 2T)

4 Jonathan THOMAS (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,013)
DoB: 27.12.82. 6’5″ / 1.96m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 51 caps (W 25, L 24, D 2; 35 pts – 7T)

5 Alun-Wyn JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,046)
DoB: 19.09.85. 6’5″ / 1.96m. 19st 1lbs / 121kgs
International record: 36 caps (W 15, L 21; 20 pts – 4T)

6 Andy POWELL (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,061)
DoB: 23.08.81. 6’4″ / 1.94m. 17st 6lbs / 111kgs
International record: 13 caps (W 7, L 6)

7 Martyn WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 944)
DoB: 01.09.75. 6’0″ / 1.83m. 15st 11lbs / 100kgs
International record: 92 caps (W 42, L 47, D 3; 73 pts – 14T, 1DG)

8 Ryan JONES (OSPREYS, CAPTAIN – Cap No 1,029)
DoB: 13.03.81. 6’5″ / 1.96m. 18st 0lbs / 114kgs
International record: 37 caps (W 21, L 15, D 1; 5 pts – 1T)

REPLACEMENTS

16 Huw BENNETT (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,017)
DoB: 11.06.83. 6’0″ / 1.83m. 17st 0lbs / 108kgs
International record: 28 caps (W 16, L 12)

17 Gethin JENKINS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,006)
DoB: 17.11.80. 6’2″ / 1.88m. 18st 13lbs / 120kgs
International record: 72 caps (W 31, L 39, D 2; 15 pts – 3T)

18 Bradley DAVIES (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,065)
DoB: 09.01.87. 6’6″ / 1.98m. 18st 1lb / 115kgs
International record: 6 caps (W 4, L 2)

19 Sam WARBURTON (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,070)
DoB: 05.10.88. 1.88m / 6’2″. 15st 9lbs / 99kgs
International record: 3 caps (W 2, L 1)

20 Richard REES (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,072)
DoB: 21.05.83. 5’11″ / 1.80m. 13st 1lb / 83kgs
International record: 1 cap (L 1)

21 Andrew BISHOP (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,059)
DoB: 07.08.85. 6’0″ / 1.83m. 15st 0lbs / 95kgs
International record: 8 caps (W 6, L 2)

22 Tom SHANKLIN (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 993)
DoB: 24.11.79. 6’2″ / 1.88m. 15st 9lbs / 99kgs
International record: 65 caps (W 31, L 33, D 1; 100 pts – 20T)

Coach John Fletcher was always confident that his side had the talent to test the visitors and they fulfilled all his expectations in holding the whip-hand from the moment full-back Jonathan Joseph (London Irish) crossed for the opening try and fly-half Jake Sharp (Saracens) converted.

Sharp claimed the second after 19 minutes and converted his own score for a 14-0 lead and while Australian centre Matthew Garland cut the deficit with a 29th minute try to raise the visitors’ morale and make the interval scoreline 14-5.

However, a third try from wingman Earl Collins (Worcester Warriors) on 40 minutes opened up the lead once again, although once again the tourists refused to concede the struggle and rallied with a try by flanker Jack de Guingand that scrum-half and captain Matthew Lucas converted to bring his side within a score at 19-12.

Sharp then steadied the home team’s nerves with a penalty before leaving the field as a precaution ahead of an outing on the Saracens bench against Castres on Friday, but Joseph had the last word when he crossed for the final try after 68 minutes.

A cameo moment for the hosts came when 16-year-old replacement centre Mark Jennings from Lymm High School and Sale Sharks took the field when the management elected to use all their replacements.

The tourists now stay in the North West to prepare for their next game, an international against England Under 18s at Sale FC’s Heywood Road headquarters on Sunday (2pm), when coach Fletcher will once again be in charge.

“The game was very tough, physical battle,” said Fletcher: “We lacked precision at times and it was a bit scrappy but for us to score four tries against opposition of that calibre after only half a day’s preparation was a pretty good effort,” said Fletcher. “So far as the tourists are concerned, they compete well for the ball and they are very dangerous in broken play situations, as you would expect.”

England U19 Regional Academies 27 (Tries: Joseph 2, Sharp, Collins. Con: Sharp 2. Pen: Sharp) Australia Schools 12 (Tries: Garland, De Guingand. Con: Lucas)

England Academies squad: forwards: Harry Allen (Saracens), Pete Austin (London Irish), Ryan Bower (Leicester Tigers), Matt Everard (Leicester Tigers), Ben Glynn (Bristol Rugby), Tom Hicks (Northampton Saints), Sam Jones (London Wasps), Charlie Matthews (Harlequins), Jethro Rawling (Leicester Tigers), Ollie Steadman (Leeds Carnegie), Henry Thomas (Sales Sharks), Mako Vunipola (Bristol Rugby). Backs: Tommy Bell (Sales Sharks), Earl Collins (Worcester Warriors), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Ryan Glynn (Sales Sharks), Mark Jennings (Sale Sharks), Jonathan Joseph (London Irish), Jake Sharp (Saracens), Andy Short (Worcester), Sam Stuart (Harlequins), Marcus Watson (London Irish).

Ryan Jones out of Australia match

Ryan Jones has withdrawn from the Wales side to take on Australia in the Invesco Perpetual Series climax at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow (kick-off 5.15pm).

Gethin Jenkins will captain the team and Jones is replaced at No8 by Andy Powell, who moves across the back row, with Dragons flanker Dan Lydiate promoted from the bench to the blindside to win his second cap.

Lydiate’s place as a replacement is taken up by Sam Warburton, who faces the prospect of tackling the Wallabies for the second time in a week after representing the Cardiff Blues against their midweek touring side on Tuesday.

“Ryan pulled up in Tuesday’s conditioning session with a back problem,” said Wales physio Mark Davies.

“This obviously needed time to settle and unfortunately the problem has not resolved in time for him to be available on Saturday.

“He has been receiving treatment and was unable to train yesterday, but today we have taken the decision that he is simply not going to be ready to take the field.”

• 19 Sam WARBURTON (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,070)

DoB: 05.10.88. 1.88m / 6’2″. 15st 9lbs / 99kgs

International record: 2 caps (W 2)

• 6 Dan LYDIATE (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,071)

DoB: 18.12.87. 1.93m / 6’4″. 15st 13lbs / 101kgs

International record: 1 cap (W 1)

• 8 Andy POWELL (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,061)

DoB: 23.08.81. 6’4″ / 1.94m. 17st 6lbs / 111kgs

International record: 11 caps (W 7, L 4)

• 1 Gethin JENKINS (CARDIFF BLUES, CAPTAIN – Cap No 1,006)

DoB: 17.11.80. 6’2″ / 1.88m. 18st 13lbs / 120kgs

International record: 71 caps (W 31, L 38, D 2; 15 pts – 3T)

Borthwick returns from international duty to start against Worcester Warriors with Chris Wyles (USA) and Moses Rauluni (Fiji) also back from action with their respective countries to be in the Saracens squad. In the only other change from Sunday’s win over Wasps, Richard Haughton returns to the wing.

“We know that going to Sixways is always a tough test,” said Defence and Forwards Coach Paul Gustard. “They have some very good players in the likes of Chris Latham, Sam Tuitupou, Pat Sanderson and others. They also have a very strong forward pack so we know we are in for a tough game. But the guys are really looking forward to the challenge and they know that we have to increase our effort levels week on week to keep getting the results we want.

“Having Steve Borthwick back in the side is fantastic. I’ve been lucky enough to play with some great captains in my career, but his leadership, commitment and dedication are second to none and it’s great to have him back in the side. Chris Wyles has been in great form this season and, as anyone who knows him, Moses Rauluni is a great character to have around the club and also a terrific player.”

Kevin Barrett misses the game after joining up with the England 7s squad for the IRB Series in Dubai and Fabio Ongaro is still away with Italy. Matias Aguero has returned from action with Italy but has a knock which will keep him out of action for a few weeks. Neil de Kock misses the game with an ankle injury but should return within two weeks.

Saracens line-up vs Worcester Warriors

• 15 Alex Goode
• 14 Richard Haughton
• 13 Kameli Ratuvou
• 12 Brad Barritt
• 11 Chris Wyles
• 10 Derick Hougaard
• 9 Justin Marshall
• 1 Rhys Gill
• 2 Schalk Brits
• 3 Carlos Nieto
• 4 Steve Borthwick ©
• 5 Tom Ryder
• 6 Wikus van Heerden
• 7 Andy Saull
• 8 Ernst Joubert
• 16 Ethienne Reynecke
• 17 Kasiano Lealamanua
• 18 Richard Skuse
• 19 Hugh Vyvyan
• 20 Don Barrell
• 21 Moses Rauluni
• 22 Adam Powell
• 23 Rodd Penney

Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock has selected the same starting line-up that drew 12-12 on home soil with Bath Rugby just seven days earlier as he looks for Warriors to secure a third home win of the campaign.

Fortey is named among the replacements and if he plays a part in the encounter will hit the magical 200 game mark in the English top-flight and move to fifth in the all-time league standings for games played.

“Chris is about to hit the 200 Club in the Guinness Premiership and this is yet another example of the durability, professionalism and skill of this Warrior over an extended period,” said Ruddock.

The only change to the 23-man squad comes on the bench where back row James Collins replaces Jake Abbott, currently away on England Sevens duty in Dubai.

Ahead of the game, Ruddock has admitted ‘it doesn’t get much bigger than this’ as his team face the undefeated league leaders.

However, he insists the excitement in the Sixways squad could not be any greater as Warriors prepare to challenge that proud record.

“It would have been good to get four points last week and we felt on balance we just deserved to edge it against Bath. Ultimately it’s gone now, it’s our fault we didn’t nail it down,” he said.

“Now we have got to learn from that and face a really big challenge against Saracens.

“They are undefeated and very difficult to break down. They are not only top of the league but they have also beaten the world champions, South Africa, so it doesn’t get much bigger than this.

“But it’s a game we are all quite excited about and can’t wait for the game to come around.”

Ruddock admits Saracens have fast become the experts of putting pressure on teams to make mistakes and fully expects his side to face a big examination under the Sixways floodlights.

“They are the masters of putting the ball in the corners and squeezing you until you give away points or field position. It will be a tough day for our back three, they will see plenty of the ball,” he said.

“But I’m encouraging my backs to run the ball, especially off first phase because that is the time when most of the forwards are in one huddle, be it a scrum or lineout.

“The only person that will be missing for us is Jake Abbott who is away with England Sevens, which is great news for us and great news for him,” added Ruddock.

“He is another one of our Academy prospects that has achieved international honours. It’s fantastic news so close to Alex Grove, who is set for his third cap for Scotland against Argentina this weekend.”

Tickets remain on sale for the Guinness Premiership clash with Saracens at Sixways Stadium. Call the Warriors Box Office on 01905 454183 or visit the online Tickets section at www.warriors.co.uk

Warriors vs Saracens

• 15 Chris Latham
• 14 Marcel Garvey
• 13 Dale Rasmussen
• 12 Sam Tuitupou
• 11 Miles Benjamin
• 10 Willie Walker
• 9 Ryan Powell
• 1 Callum Black
• 2 Aleki Lutui
• 3 Tevita Taumoepeau
• 4 Greg Rawlinson
• 5 Craig Gillies
• 6 Tom Wood
• 7 Pat Sanderson (c)
• 8 Kai Horstmann

Replacements

• 16 Adam Black
• 17 Chris Fortey
• 18 Olivier Sourgens
• 19 Graham Kitchener
• 20 James Collins
• 21 Jonny Arr
• 22 Calum MacRae
• 23 Rico Gear

The selection of Toomua, 19, is one of three personnel changes to the starting line-up from the Australian side which won its opening midweek match of the tour at Gloucester.

The others see Pekahou Cowan included to start at loosehead prop, in the place of Salesi Ma’afu, after coming off the bench as a hooker against Gloucester.

Ma’afu is relegated to the bench, after featuring on the tighthead side of the scrum at Gloucester, with Sekope Kepu switching from loosehead to tighthead to accommodate the inclusion of Cowan.

James O’Connor also starts at fullback with Kurtley Beale, who filled that role against Gloucester, switching to wing in the place of Drew Mitchell.

O’Connor is one of seven players in the starting XV who back up from last weekend’s Test match in Edinburgh, although centre Ryan Cross is the only player who starts at Cardiff who also featured in the run on list for the Test match.

Kepu, Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, No 8 Richard Brown, halfback Luke Burgess and lock Dean Mumm are the other starters playing their second match in four days.

Mumm again leads the midweek side, after making a successful fist of his first time in charge when Australia over-powered English Premiership side Gloucester 36-5 at Kingsholm earlier in the month.

Bench inclusions lock Mark Chisholm, flanker George Smith and inside centre Quade Cooper all started in the 8-9 loss to Scotland at the weekend.

The bench also sees the inclusion of squad newcomer Luke Morahan, who joined the team last week in Edinburgh as the replacement for Stirling Mortlock.

Morahan was denied the opportunity to join Toomua at the Under-20 World Cup in Japan earlier in the year due to injury, after having been included in the training squad.

The Queensland teenager has excelled for Australia on the IRB Sevens circuit, and now has the chance to represent his country at senior level.

His state colleague, halfback Richard Kingi, is also on the bench and is also poised to play for his country at senior level for the first time, albeit in a non-cap match.

Kingi, who has played for Australia in Sevens and was brought on this tour for development purposes, is the only member of the originally named touring group who has yet to have taken the field on the trip.

In facing Cardiff, the Qantas Wallabies are following in the footsteps of the 1984 Grand Slam side, which was defeated 12-16 by Cardiff in the Welsh capital.

Now known as the Cardiff Blues, the club is one of four Welsh representatives that feature in the Celtic League alongside teams from Ireland (4) and Scotland (2).

Based at the new Cardiff City Stadium, which is also the home to the 2007-08 FA Cup finalists, the Cardiff City football team; the Blues are led by ex-New Zealand Maori rep and Hurricanes lock Paul Tito.

The Cardiff squad also features former NSW Waratahs and 2007 Wallaby flyhalf Sam Norton-Knight, ex All Black and Blues No 8 Xavier Rush, and two former Crusader All Blacks in fullback Ben Blair and the recently arrived centre Casey Laulala, both of whom have previously worked with Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

The Blues are currently ninth in the Celtic League, with two wins from seven games, but second in Pool Five of the Heineken Cup.

Cardiff shares that pool with glamour French club Toulouse and English teams, Sale and Harlequins.

The Qantas Wallabies team to play the Cardiff Blues at Cardiff City Stadium on 24 November, 7.35pm kick off (6.35am, 25 November, AEST), is:

• 15. James O’Connor (Western Force)
• 14. Lachie Turner (NSW Waratahs)
• 13. Ryan Cross (Western Force)
• 12. Tyrone Smith (Brumbies)
• 11. Kurtley Beale (NSW Waratahs)
• 10. Matt Toomua (Brumbies)
• 9. Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs)
• 8. Richard Brown (Western Force)
• 7. Matt Hodgson (Western Force)
• 6. Mitchell Chapman (Brumbies)
• 5. Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs, captain)
• 4. Dave Dennis (NSW Waratahs)
• 3. Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs)
• 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs)
• 1. Pekahou Cowan (Western Force)

Run on reserves:

• 16. Salesi Ma’afu (Brumbies)
• 17. Matt Dunning (Western Force)
• 18. Mark Chisholm (Brumbies)
• 19. George Smith (Brumbies)
• 20. Richard Kingi (Queensland Reds)
• 21. Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds)
• 22. Luke Morahan (Queensland Reds)

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 Steinlager Rugby Awards recognise and acknowledge the achievements of New Zealand’s teams, coaches, players, referees and volunteers in 2009. The ceremony will be held at the SkyCity Convention Centre, Auckland, on Thursday 17 December and broadcast live on SKY Sport and The Rugby Channel.

A new name is being introduced for the award which annually recognises the great contribution volunteers make to community rugby. The winner of this year’s volunteer award will be honoured with the Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year trophy, named after the man who introduced rugby to New Zealand. Nominees are Otago’s Blair Crawford, Auckland’s David Hickey and Peter Te Tai from Southland.

Recognising the Chiefs’ first appearance in a Rebel Sport Super 14 Final, the nominees for the Rebel Sport Super 14 Player of the Year include Chiefs captain Mils Muliaina and hooker teammate Aled de Malmanche. They are joined by Hurricanes midfielder Ma’a Nonu.

The nominees for New Zealand Rugby Coach of the Year are Guy Lennox from Wanganui, Canterbury’s Rob Penney, New Zealand Under 20 Coach Dave Rennie and the Chiefs’ Ian Foster. Lennox and Penney both coached their team to repeat championships in the Heartland Championship and Air New Zealand Cup respectively in 2009. Rennie coached his age grade team to Junior World Championship honours in Japan this year, while Foster helped the Chiefs to a fairytale spot in the 2009 Rebel Sport Super 14 Final.

The adidas Team of the Year nominees are Air New Zealand Cup winners Canterbury, IRB Junior World Championship winners, the New Zealand Under 20 side, and Heartland Championship Meads Cup winners Wanganui.

The nominees for Air New Zealand Cup Player of the Year are Southland lock Josh Bekhuis and new All Blacks Mike Delany from Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay flyer Zac Guildford.

The Heartland Championship Player of the Year nominees are Mid Canterbury’s Jon Dampney, Poverty Bay flanker Sione Ngatu and Asaeli Tikoirutuma from Wanganui.

The Women’s Player of the Year will be chosen from a list of nominees announced after the Black Ferns play their second and final Test against England on Sunday morning 22 November (NZ time) at Twickenham.

The nominees for the NZRU Age Grade Player of the Year are New Zealand Schools’ player Sam Cane, Manawatu’s Aaron Cruden, Zac Guildford and Auckland midfielder Winston Stanley.

The Tom French Memorial Maori Player of the Year will be decided from Zac Guildford (Ngati Kahungunu), Wellington’s Cory Jane (Ngati Kahungunu) and Canterbury lock Isaac Ross (Kai Tahu).

Those in line for the Richard Crawshaw Memorial Sevens Player of the Year are Bay of Plenty’s Zar Lawrence, Wellington youngster Julian Savea and Otago Women’s wing Carla Hohepa, the first woman to be nominated for this award.

The NZRU Referee of the Year and the Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Player of the Year will both be named on the night.

The Steinlager Salver, a special presentation to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to New Zealand rugby, will also be presented at the Awards function.

The judges for the 2009 Steinlager Rugby Awards are former All Blacks captain and former NZRU President Andy Leslie, NZRU Board member and former All Blacks captain Graham Mourie, SKY Sport rugby commentator Grant Nisbett and former All Black and current NZRU General Manager Community and Provincial Union Rugby Brent Anderson.

The 2009 Steinlager Rugby Awards nominees

NZRU Age Grade Player of the Year

• Sam Cane (Bay of Plenty)
• Aaron Cruden (Manawatu)
• Zac Guildford (Hawke’s Bay)
• Winston Stanley (Auckland)

Richard Crawshaw Memorial Sevens Player of the Year

• Carla Hohepa (Otago)
• Zar Lawrence (Bay of Plenty)
• Julian Savea (Wellington)

NZRU Women’s Player of the Year

(to be confirmed)

The Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year

• Blair Crawford (Otago)
• David Hickey (Auckland)
• Peter Te Tai (Southland)

Rebel Sport Super 14 Player of the Year

• Malili (Mils) Muliaina (Chiefs)
• Aled de Malmanche (Chiefs)
• Ma’a Nonu (Hurricanes)

Tom French Memorial Maori Player of the Year

• Zac Guildford (Hawke’s Bay, Ngati Kahungunu)
• Cory Jane (Wellington, Ngati Kahungunu)
• Isaac Ross (Canterbury, Kai Tahu)

Heartland Championship Player of the Year

• Jon Dampney (Mid Canterbury)
• Sione Ngatu (Poverty Bay)
• Asaeli Tikoirutuma (Wanganui)

Air New Zealand Cup Player of the Year

• Josh Bekhuis (Southland)
• Mike Delany (Bay of Plenty)
• Zac Guildford (Hawke’s Bay)

adidas Team of the Year

• Canterbury (Air New Zealand Cup)
• New Zealand Under 20
• Wanganui (Heartland Championship)

New Zealand Rugby Coach of the Year

• Ian Foster (Chiefs)
• Guy Lennox (Wanganui)
• Rob Penney (Canterbury)
• Dave Rennie (New Zealand Under 20)

Awards will also be given for:

• NZRU Referee of the Year
• Kelvin R. Tremain Memorial Player of the Year
• Steinlager Salver for an Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand Rugby

The winners will be named on the night.

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