The Exiles have lost on their last three visits to Mennaye Field and have not beaten the Pirates in their last three meetings.

When the sides met at Mennaye Field earlier in the season, the Pirates enjoyed a comfortable 27-6 victory – Rudi Brits, Dave Ward and Matt Evans scoring the home side’s tries.

That followed a 17-17 draw at Old Deer Park, in which Alex Davies came off the bench to land three late penalties to give the Exiles a share of the spoils.

The Exiles’ previous visit conjures no less favourable memories, coming in last season’s 18-10 Championship semi-final defeat. Welsh led 10-3 at half-time thanks to Matt Corker’s try, but second half scores from Gavin Cattle and Rhodri McAtee sent the Pirates into the final.

The regular 2010/11 season also produced a home win for the Pirates, 22-3. McAtee scoring the only try of the game.

Welsh have to go back to March 2010 for their last win at Mennaye Field, when 22 unanswered points saw the Exiles snatch a 28-24 victory. Nathan Bonner-Evans, Charlie Gower and Ben Thomas the London Welsh try scorers.

The Exiles’ last win over the Pirates came in November 2010 when the Exiles won 23-16 at Old Deer Park. Aled Thomas kicking 18 points and Dom Shabbo crossing for the home side’s only try.

The 2nd leg of the Championship final takes place on May 30 at the Kassam Stadium, Oxford.

London Welsh: 15. Alex Davies, 14. Nick Scott, 13. James Lewis, 12. Hudson Tonga’uiha*, 11. Joe Ajuwa, 10. Gordon Ross*, 9. Jack Moates, 1. Billy Moss, 2. Dan George, 3. James Tideswell, 4. Adam Brown, 5. Matt Corker, 6. Jon Mills ©, 7. Mike Denbee, 8. Ed Jackson.

Replacements: 16. Vili Ma’asi*, 17. Shawn Pittman*, 18. Greg Bateman, 19. Gary Johnson, 20. Lee Beach, 21. Rob Lewis, 22. Seb Jewell.

* Denotes full international

In the blue corner are Leinster, two times European rugby champions, seeking to become the only team to win back-to-back Heineken Cups since Leicester Tigers and also complete a European-domestic double, in what would be their third victory in four years, surely nailing on their status as one of the greatest Heineken Cup teams ever.

And in the white corner are Ulster, seeking to win for the first time this millennium and recent winners of sweet fanny adams. Uhm…

The first question any preview has to answer is ‘Can Ulster win this and is there any way Leinster can be stopped’, so great is the disparity in recent results between the two teams. Well, maybe my bias is misleading me, but the men from Ravenhill aren’t as far away as it may appear. It’s some challenge for only fifteen men to take on but it can be done and Ulster are an increasingly formidable team in their own right, although there’s no doubt that if both sides play to their best, Leinster simply have more about them.

Leinster have more about them than most mind. Joe Schmidt walked in on Cheika’s half-completed project and has turned them into probably the most complete side in Europe. People often remark most on their handling ability and lines, but their defence is incredible, their kicking game very strong, their set-pieces solid. When you look at the ferocity with which their backs hit tackles and the ease with which their forwards offload, you see a team who have blurred the distinction between forward and back as much as any other. They are masters of the fifteen man game and all the options it offers. They are masters of defence too, and the counter-rucking that the backs do is a large part of what makes them so difficult to score against. There’s been a list of injury worries since their slightly cagey victory over Glasgow in the ProDirect 12 semi-final, but thanks to the recuperative powers of cup finals Leinster will walk out at virtually full strength. Given Leinster’s strength in depth though, a few injuries was far from the end of the world for them. It also gives them, assuming all is well, a formidable bench containing six internationals.

Against this, Ulster have an up-hill struggle, if not up-mountain. But after the colossal defensive display they found to unseat Munster at Thomond Park, a performance that was more remarkable for the desire and mental resilience on show than any level of athletic and technical prowess, it’s not impossible. While its true the results card makes for bad reading, it won’t be registering much in Ulster minds, as it’s very rare for the provinces to meet 1^st XV to 1^st XV. Even last year’s playoff semi-final defeat saw Ulster much reduced with injury, starting with Stephen Ferris. Few men make as much difference to their side as Ferris and his mutant-esque levels of physicality and after very sparing use in recent weeks, he should be fit and raring to go. He’ll be the totem of an all-international pack that has asserted themselves recently as the equal of any in Europe with an abrupt abrasiveness. The set-piece is nigh flawless, it is rammed full with heavyweight carriers, and with Chris Henry back, it offers a fair bit of ruck disruption too. In the backs, Ruan Pienaar carries as much importance as Ferris up front, where so far he has turned in nerveless displays as general and goal-kicker in this tournament. He will probably first and foremost look to dictate territory before unleashing his back-line, but that does not mean the Ulster back-line should be overlooked. It has shown a few killer touches off its own this season, particularly when it links up with its mobile pack in a manner fairly reminiscent of their southern cousins. It may not have quite the same cachet as Leinster’s levy of Lions, but it is filled with talented players who yearn to show that they can be put in the same bracket.

Yearning is an appropriate word for Ulster’s emotional state right now, if anything a little mild. Years of struggle, of living as close to Connacht as to Munster and Leinster, has put an indelible mark on a senior core of players who have lived and breathed for a jersey that is a childhood ambition. It is a subject that has dominated interviews, an emotion that seemed to be made solid flesh at Thomond Park. In a game that will be decided as much by the mind as the body, properly channelled, this bellicose hunger will be a considerable weapon. In captain Johannes Muller, the perennial understudy to Victor Matfield who Andy Goode described as the best leader he’d seen other than Johnson, Ulster have one of the best possible men to do the channelling. Yet opposite him in the lineout will be a man nearly as well-respected for his leadership skills, Leo Cullen. Next to him is Brad Thorn, implacably bent on another trophy. And buzzing around in the backline like a pitbull on steroids will be Brian O’Driscoll. They will keep the desire levels ramped as high as possible. A surfeit of final experience would seem to point to Leinster, but Ulster aren’t short of players who’ve been in a big game or two. No advantage can really be seen at this point in the mental states of the players.

So where do the physical fault lines lie then, other than in Stephen Ferris’ non-existent knee? Ulster will certainly try to target Leinster at the set-piece, but they assuredly won’t be banking on this, particularly as Leinster are reportedly putting in a lot of time on this at training. The breakdown could therefore well be more important, and almost certainly more interesting, with both sides likely to adopt similar approaches in defence. What each team lacks for in jackals it makes up for in masters of the dark arts of slow ball. If the ref doesn’t grip the two teams, the spectacle may well up a victim of Irish excellence in the choke tackle – although if he judges one team to be doing it legally and the other not, he’s probably decided the match. Consistency will be very important here. If Ulster can get quick ball, they will fancy a cut. The normal Ulster tactic is for Andrew Trimble or Paddy Wallace to crash it up relatively narrow and secure quick ball, but you wonder whether Ulster won’t fancy going a bit wider this match. If Ulster can tie down O’Driscoll in the breakdown from first phase, then attacking Leinster’s backline looks far more inviting, particularly if they can get Stephen Ferris arriving onto the ball for the second. Leinster, by contrast, might well be tempted to go narrower than usual. The two Paddy’s – Jackson and Wallace – are excellent tacklers for small men, but they are rather small, and people like Sean O’Brien rather large. Even if they never manage a clean break there, continuous attacking of that channel may lead to Ulster becoming bunched in and vulnerable to the wide sortie. Of course, the danger is that in operating that close to Ulster’s pack, the quick ball necessary may never materialise. Leinster have the more to gain out of the game opening up due to their superior support lines and hands. It will be interesting to see which tactic appeals more, and when Jonathon Sexton will adopt each option. Whatever he picks, I’m expecting a fair few wide passes from both fly-halves, as neither back-three looks particularly inviting to kick to. There will be kicking of course, but it’s timing and execution will need to be spot on. Leinster might toy with repeating Edinburgh’s successful tactic of launching fairly short bombs for Rob Kearney to get on to as a back-up tactic, although both sides would rather wait to kick behind a winger rushing up. Here Ulster hold a minor advantage in that Paddy Wallace is a very accomplished tactical kicker and distributor. The ball in his hands will cause more thinking for opposition wingers than it will in Gordon D’Arcy’s. I feel I should mention the sub’s bench here. Ulster’s isn’t bad, containing a few potential game-changers and some steady performers, but it is nothing like the hidden armoury of internationals Leinster have waiting. To talk about this game’s intensity would be an understatement. Injuries and fatigue will happen. Barring bad luck, the process of attrition is likely to favour Leinster, simply because of their calibre of replacement. That must play a part in Schmidt’s thinking, particularly if he is tempted to play it loose and quick. Will Ulster be able to withstand eighty minutes of such treatment? Ulster need to protect themselves against such an eventuality by taking good care of the pill. Which brings us back to the breakdown again. Schmidt’s selection of McLaughlin over Shane Jennings makes sense, both in terms of safeguarding Leinster’s lineout and providing a physical presence. But it does keep Leinster’s dedicated ruckhog out of the opening exchanges.

Schmidt will probably not end up regretting that. He simply has too much firepower to level at Ulster and mistakes will be savagely punished. Leinster are also capable of operating at a level where they will simply blow Ulster away, unless Ulster find a new defensive level. Between these two facts, Leinster are deserved favourites. But Ulster are not devoid of hope. This match will be won up-front, where Ulster should be able to match Leinster blow for blow. Every minute that Ulster sucks Leinster into a battle there, every minute that Leinster can’t probe for gaps out wide, is a minute that improves Ulster’s chances. Ulster must choke Leinster at source as much as possible. Not an easy task, not at all, but doable. So too is the task of breaking down Leinster’s defence and generating a few scores of their own. McLaughlin must find a plan, his players a way, for no matter how firm the chokehold, Leinster will almost definitely wriggle away from it at some point. Defence will not be enough and it must be allied to ruthless finishing and ruthless ball protection. Do so, and Ulster can finish a shock of a season with the biggest shock of all. Anything else though, and Leinster will surely lift their second Heineken Cup in as many years, and in doing so enter the pantheon of greats.

The Clash to Watch – John Afoa vs. Cian Healy. Given the extreme familiarity between Tom Court and Mike Ross, it seems likely that any decisive swing in the in the scrum will come on the opposite side. Given the burden both Healy and Afoa bear in the loose, particularly in defence, if one man starts to take heavy physical punishment from the other then it could well prove a decisive advantage. Afoa would seem the favourite of the two to accomplish such a feat, but Healy is not a man lightly written off.

Joining the Clifton Lane based side are fly half James McKinney from Ulster and back-rower Alex Rieder from local rivals Leeds Carnegie.

James McKinney at 21 years-old is a hot prospect with a good pedigree, having represented Ireland at the Junior World Championships in 2010 and 2011. During the 2010 tour, McKinney demonstrated his kicking accuracy with an impressive 83% strike rate.

McKinney also had a notable schools career, playing fly half for Campbell College and representing Ulster and Irish Schools.

McKinney is a talented youngster who signed a development contract with Ulster in 2011-12 after coming through their Academy ranks. He’s an elusive runner who reads the game well and his ability with the boot, both out of hand and at the posts, are sure to make him an important player in the Championship next term.

Alex Rieder swaps West for South Yorkshire as he looks to progress his career with Titans Rugby. The Kendal born 20 years-old back rower is 6’ 3” and approaching 16 stone and he’s expected to bring lots of pace and power to the Titans back row.

Rieder joined Leeds Carnegie in 2009 from North Ribblesdale and has represented Yorkshire from U15 to U20 levels. He won the County Championship with North Ribblesdale and the Yorkshire Cup with Leeds Carnegie.

The 29 year old Edinburgh born fly half has also represented Scotland at U18, U19 and U21 level before winning his first cap for the senior international side against Romania in June 2005.

He made his RBS Six Nations debut against Wales at Murrayfield in February 2007.

Godman captained Merchiston Castle School to victory in the Scottish Schools Cup in 2000 before signing a professional contract with Newcastle Falcons. He moved to Edinburgh Rugby from Newcastle in 2004.

Godman: “I’m excited to be joining a club with such a prestigious history. Obviously, with its Scottish heritage, it was a definite attraction for me. After a few injuries recently, I’m looking forward to kick-starting my career and getting on the pitch for London Scottish.”

Director of Rugby Simon Amor is excited about the signing of Godman as the club continues its search for Scottish talent, with Godman being the third Scot signed by the club this month.

Amor: “A core part of the London Scottish philosophy is always being on the lookout for Scottish talent. The signing of Phil’s calibre not only fits into this philosophy, but his quality shows the ambitions of the club as we prepare for a second year in the Championship.”

Amor also believes Godman’s experience can only benefit players such as young fly half Dan Mugford.

Amor: “I’m hugely excited. Dan is an exciting young talent, proven with his accolades this season as top try scorer, top points scorer and voted the Supporters Player of the Season. Having two excellent fly halves at the club can only benefit us and Dan will learn a lot from Phil. This fits in with our philosophy of developing younger players who have the potential to play at the highest level.”

Head Coach Graham Smith has made five changes, and one positional, to the team that defeated Italy 32-8 on Tuesday. Lichfield’s Sarah Hunter will once again captain the side which welcomes back Emily Scarratt (pictured) and Katherine Merchant to the starting line-up. Both Merchant and Scarratt were involved in England’s victory in the IRB Challenge Cup Sevens in London on Sunday.

Bristol’s Marlie Packer and Worcester’s Rochelle Clark return to bolster a strong England pack, while Ceri Large moves to fly-half and Kim Oliver is back in at centre.

Smith, whose side like France have defeated both Italy and Spain in this tournament, said: “The spirit in the camp is very good and we are confident that we have a strong enough team to defend our European Cup crown.

“This is a strong England pack, while our backs have also been performing. Georgina Rozario is playing some of her best rugby ever at scrum-half, and Ceri Large is developing into a good international fly-half. Kim Oliver has also been in top form this season, Emily, Kat and Danielle are world class players while Lydia really has the potential to be a world class wing.”

The final England versus France match is set to be a thriller with matches this season between the two sides evenly matched. France have beaten England twice this season, but England took the most recent victory in the RBS 6 Nations in March.

Smith added: “Our players like nothing better than playing France and they’ll be really up for it. We know we’ll have to be at the top of our game for this one, with France being a tough and physical side. Like us they have some new caps in their squad, but they also have the nucleus of their Six Nations side here. They have a good kicking game, can move the ball around well and have a big effective pack and we know they’ll be really up for this match.”

England

15 Danielle Waterman (Worcester)

14 Lydia Thompson (Worcester)

13 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield)

12 Kimberley Oliver (Bristol)

11 Katherine Merchant (Worcester)

10 Ceri Large (Worcester)

9 Georgina Rozario

1 Rochelle Clark (Worcester)

2 Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield)

3 Laura Keates (Worcester)

4 Rowena Burnfield (Richmond)

5 Tamara Taylor(Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

6 Sarah Hunter (C) (Lichfield)

7 Marlie Packer (Bristol)

8 Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield)

Replacements:

16 Emma Croker (Richmond)

17 Rosemarie Crowley (Lichfield)

18 Emily Braund (Lichfield)

19 Gemma Sharples (Worcester)

20 Fiona Davidson (Richmond)

21 Lauren Cattell (Chesham)

22 Sally Tuson(Bristol)

23 Kate Newton (Bristol)

24 Fiona Fletcher (Lichfield)

25 Ruth Laybourn (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

England Women’s European Cup Schedule

Spain v England, May 12, WON 61-0.

Italy v England, May 15,WON 32-8

France v England, May 19, KO 630pm

The England Counties today named their 26-man squad for next month’s three match tour to Uganda and Kenya.

Eleven counties and 15 clubs are represented within the squad which contains 12 debutants. 

Rob Baldwin (pictured) will captain the tour party, having led the side to a 34-16 victory over the Counties’ Irish counterparts, the Ulster Bank International Team, in March.  Nine other players featured in the spring international, whilst Jim Wigglesworth steps up after impressing for the England Counties U20s earlier this month.

The England Counties squad is the representative flagship of the county and community game and since being founded in 2002 has visited North and South America, Europe and the Far East.  Nine players have previous touring experience but the side will be treading new ground when they head to the African continent.

The squad assembles on the 1st June and the 17-day tour incorporates the largest tour outreach programme ever undertaken.  Working with the Tag Rugby Trust, the squad and management will carry out frequent coaching sessions and visits, aiming to raise the profile of rugby and leave a lasting legacy for the host unions.

The squad plays both Uganda and a combined East Africa side in Kampala before taking on the challenge of an East Africa Invitation XV in Nairobi.

Team Manager Michael Old said: “Selection has been particularly tough this year as the quality of players making themselves available for the County Championship continues to improve but we are very pleased with the final line up.

“Squad flexibility was a key consideration particularly in the specialist roles of prop, hooker and scrum half.  In the event of injury or illness we will not be able to fly replacements out so it was important to have experience across positions: props Jared Saunders and David Dickinson have played at hooker whilst hooker, Joe Bonner can switch to prop, and Jack Smales, a wing/full back, has played regularly at scrum half.

“I would like to offer my congratulations to the players on their selection and as with all ECXV tours it is hugely exciting to get a new group of players together to see what they can produce on the pitch; I would expect this squad to continue England Counties proud tour record and recent run of victories.

“The Ugandan and Kenyan Rugby Unions are looking forward to the prospect of having an England team on their soil.  During a recent visit, we saw the pace, skill and commitment of the countries’ players and they will be highly motivated to perform against us.

“The squad will be faced with playing challenges very different to their club and county games and the unpredictability of the opposition is one of the most exciting elements of touring for both players and coaches.  During the recce we also visited some of the schools and orphanages that we are going to be working with, together with the Tag Rugby Trust charity, and I am confident it will be a very rewarding and humbling experience for all involved as we make a positive impact on our East African hosts both on and off the pitch.”

England Counties Squad for Kenya and Uganda:

Forwards

Rob Baldwin*^ (Wharfedale & Yorkshire)

Joe Bonner (Blackheath & Kent)

Richard Boyle^(Newcastle Falcons & Northumberland)

James Cleverly (Blackheath & Kent)

David Dickinson* (Tynedale & Northumberland)

Billy Johnson (Unattached & Hertfordshire)

James Lindfield (Westcombe Park & Kent)

Dave Marwick (Stockport & Cheshire)

Louis McGowan*^ (Sedgley Park & Lancashire)

Ben Pons (Moseley & North Mids)

Gareth Rawlings (Fylde & Lancashire)

Jared Saunders (Saracens & Hertfordshire)

Craig Voisey^ (Moseley & North Mids)

Sam Wilkes* (Cinderford & Gloucestershire)

Backs

Chris Briers*^ (Fylde & Lancashire)

Will Burton (Luctonians & North Mids)

Phil Chesters* (Ealing & Devon)

Steve Hamilton^ (Unattached & Yorkshire)

Peter Hodgkinson*^ (Ealing & Cheshire)

Toby Howley-Berridge (Unattached & Eastern Counties)

Stefan Liebenberg* (Bedford & Hertfordshire)

Harry Peck*^ (Tynedale & Northumberland)

Jack Smales^ (Nevers & Northumberland)

Rory Teague (Cinderford & Gloucestershire)

Tom Wheatcroft* (Ealing & Warwickshire)

Jim Wigglesworth (Hull & Yorkshire)

Denotes

* Represented England Counties in Spring Internationals

^ Represented England Counties on previous tour

Stand by players to be called upon in the event of injury before departure:

Rob Schillachi^ (Hertford & Hertfordshire); Jamie Salter (Launceton & Cornwall); Chris Wearmouth*(Blaydon & Durham); Gavin Jones (Blaydon & Yorkshire); Philip Woodhead* (Wharfedale & Yorkshire); Tyson Lewis (Plymouth & Devon)

Match schedule

• Game 1: v Uganda in Kampala – Tuesday 5th June
• Game 2: v East Africa in Kampala – Saturday 9th June
• Game 3: v East Africa Invitation XV in Nairobi – Saturday 16th June

The two games between the sides in the regular season produced a comfortable win for the Pirates at Mennaye Field, while three late Alex Davies penalties salvaged a 17-17 draw for Welsh at Old Deer Park.

Of course, the Pirates also came out on top, 18-10, in last year’s one-off semi-final at Mennaye Field.

“The Cornish Pirates are a very good side,” said Jones. “They don’t rely on any particular type of rugby or strength, they’ve got the ability to play all types of rugby and I would be very respectful of that.

“That’s what you’ve got to have. To have a sniff of going up you’ve got to be able to pay all types of rugby.

“They’ve got a good kicking full back, they’ve a very sound organised pack of forwards and they finished third and we finished fourth in the regular season.

“But throughout the season both teams have grown and we’re really looking forward to an opportunity to show ourselves at the highest level in this league.

“From where we were in September to where we are now is chalk and cheese. We’re a confident side with the ability to play a bit of football, and just like the Cornish Pirates we can also play all types of games as and when it suits.”

The Exiles withstood a late fight-back from the Blues to reach their first-ever Championship final, having lost in the semi-finals in 2010 as well as last year.

When Nick Scott capitalised on a mistake to touch down and Davies added his fourth penalty, the Exiles led 17-10 on the day and 30-13 on aggregate. However, converted tries from Don Barrell and Neil Cochrane ensured a tense finish at Old Deer Park on Sunday, but Welsh held on.

“This was not an 80 minute game, it was a 160 minute game, and over the 160 minutes we probably deserved it” said Jones.

“I thought the first half was excellent in intensity. We fell away in the last 20 because we weren’t strong enough. We weren’t conditioned enough to play that intensity for 80 minutes.

“That’s a big learning curve for our boys to appreciate that when they go into the gym what they’re there for.”

Jones is now preparing his side for the 1st leg of their Championship final with the Cornish Pirates at Mennaye Field on May 23, with the return game confirmed for the Kassam Stadium, Oxford, on May 30. Both games kick-off at 7:45pm and will be live on Sky Sports.

“They should be two great games. We’ve seen two cracking committed affairs between ourselves and Bedford, and we were delighted to take the spoils because they’re a very good attacking side” said Jones.

“It’s all to play for now. Going into the play-offs we had a 25 per cent of being successful, now it’s 50 per cent.”

England Women are on course to defend their European Cup crown after a second successive victory, this time against Italy, which saw Graham Smith’s side run in six tries against a determined Italian outfit in Rovereto, Italy.

Bristol’s Sally Tuson, on just her second cap, ran in a brace of tries, while Harriet Millar-Mills (pictured), Lydia Thompson, another new cap, Danielle Waterman and Rowena Burnfield all crossed Italy’s line. England’s defence also stood up to a tough test with a feisty Italian side pushing England throughout the game.

Smith, who has taken on the Head Coach role for this tour, said: “It may be a cliché but I am extremely pleased and proud of this team. This tournament is proving that we have got some very good players coming through. We have got some really exciting players in Sally Tuson, Lauren Cattell and Lydia Thompson, while our more experienced players have been fantastic leading this young side both on and off the pitch.

“We played some quality rugby today, but at the same time we also need to be more consistent and work on our discipline as we gave away some penalties. Our defence, however, was awesome as Italy really could have scored more tries than they did and it is a testament to this side that we just kept knocking them back. ”

Italy punished England early on when England were penalised at the breakdown and fly-half Veronica Schiavon stroked over a penalty after just two minutes.

But the visitors were by no means put off their stride and a break by Richmond lock Burnfield saw the ball offloaded to Gemma Sharples and then out to the wing and into the clutches of centre Tuson who powered over the line. Chesham fly-half Lauren Cattell couldn’t make the conversion.

14 minutes in and England had established a 10-3 lead. A good England scrum, five metres out, saw the pack drive forward and Lichfield’s No. 8 Millar-Mills picked up to dive over the try-line.

England’s dominance continued with a try straight after the kick off when England secured the ball in their 22. The pack powered forward again, creating a solid platform for the backs which eventually saw vice-captain and fullback Danielle Waterman dive over under the posts.

England went down to 14 players when Millar-Mills was sin-binned, but Italy weren’t able to take advantage and England went into the break 15-3 up.

The restart saw Italy this time lose a player to the sin bin, scrum-half Sara Barattin, but unlike their opponents earlier England did capitalise. England dominated possession and eventually some good ball from a line-out saw the ball swung out to wing Thompson for her fourth try in two games.

Try number five for England came courtesy of the ever present Tuson, but Waterman played a big part as usual, and a great break by the fullback saw Georgina Rozario offload to Tuson, who evaded Italy’s defence to score. Cattell converted, before workhorse Burnfield wrapped up England’s tally with a 68th minute touchdown.

Italy, however, remained as dogged as ever and their hard work paid off when England lost a second player to the sin-bin – this time Sharples – and the home side battered England’s line and eventually broke through with wing Anna Barbanti taking the points.

England will now play France in the final game of the European Cup on Saturday, kick off 630pm BST.

England 

15. Danielle Waterman (VC) (Worcester), 14. Lydia Thompson (Worcester) 13. Sally Tuson (Bristol), 12. Ceri Large (Worcester) 11. Ruth Laybourn (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), 10. Lauren Cattell (Chesham), 9. George Rozario (Lichfield), 1. Rosemarie Crowley (Lichfield), 2. Vicky Fleetwood (Lichfield), 3. Laura Keates (Worcester), 4. Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), 5. Rowena Burnfield (Richmond), 6 Sarah Hunter (C), 7 Gemma Sharples (Worcester), 8 Harriet Millar Mills (Lichfield). Replacements: 16. Emma Croker (Richmond), 17.Rochelle Clark (Worcester), 18. Kate Newton (Bristol), 19.Emily Braund (Lichfield), 20 Fiona Fletcher, 21.Fiona Davidson (Richmond), 22 Kim Oliver (Bristol), 23 Katherine Merchant (Worcester), 24 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield),

Tries: Tuson (2), Millar-Mills, Waterman, Thompson, Burnfield

Conversions: Cattell

Penalties:

Substitutions: Davidson for Rozario, Merchant for Laybourn (both 54), Fletcher for Hunter, Croker for Fleetwood, Braund for Taylor, Clark for Keates (all 60), Oliver for Waterman (69).

England Women’s European Cup Schedule

Spain v England, May 12, WON 61-0.

Italy v England, May 15,WON 32-8

France v England, May 19, KO 630pm

Bristol’s Amber Reed is set to make her debut after being named in the starting line-up at centre, while Lichfield’s Fiona Fletcher, who is a late call-up to the squad after an injury to Becky Essex, could also make her England bow if she is called off the bench. 18-year-old Lauren Cattell will make her first start for England at fly-half after coming off the bench against Spain on Saturday and scoring a try on her debut.

Smith has shaken up the pack with a new-look front-row for this game, with Rosemarie Crowley, Vicky Fleetwood and Laura Keates all starting. Rowena Burnfield and Gemma Sharples will also start. Katherine Merchant and Emily Scarratt return to the England XVs set-up after their victory in the IRB Challenge Cup Sevens at the Marriott London Sevens at the weekend.

Graham Smith, who has stepped up to Head Coach for this tournament, said: “Given that the unity of this new looking side has gelled quicker than anticipated I am fully confident that we are capable of putting on a good performance against Italy.

“This will be a big game for Lauren Cattell starting at fly-half and Amber Reed in the centre. Despite her young years, Lauren has taken everything in her stride and she certainly has the potential to be a very good player. Amber has also shown herself to be big and powerful and her running game and distribution are real positives. Teaming up with Silly Tuson in the centres I think they have the potential to be quite a combination.”

England head into Tuesday’s match on the back of an impressive 61-0, 11 try victory over Spain in the opener. Italy are set to be much tougher opponents pushing France to a 22-19 victory at the weekend.

Smith added: “We won’t be underestimating Italy at all. They put on a really good performance against France and we know they will be tricky. They are a big, robust side with a good offload game and some attacking flair. We will certainly be looking to ensure that our scrum and line-out platforms work effectively to create some good ball for our backs, who have the pace to be very dangerous.”

England 

15. Danielle Waterman (VC) (Worcester), 14. Lydia Thompson (Worcester) 13. Sally Tuson (Bristol), 12. Amber Reed (Bristol), 11. Ruth Laybourn (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), 10. Lauren Cattell (Chesham), 9. George Rozario (Lichfield), 1. Rosemarie Crowley (Lichfield), 2. Vicky Fleetwood (Lichfield), 3. Laura Keates (Worcester), 4. Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), 5. Rowena Burnfield (Richmond), 6 Sarah Hunter (C), 7 Gemma Sharples (Worcester), 8 Harriet Millar Mills (Lichfield). Replacements: 16. Emma Croker (Richmond), 17.Rochelle Clark (Worcester), 18. Kate Newton (Bristol), 19.Emily Braund (Lichfield), 20 Fiona Fletcher, 21.Fiona Davidson (Richmond), 22 Kim Oliver (Bristol), 23 Katherine Merchant (Worcester), 24 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), 25 Ceri Large (Worcester).

England Women’s European Cup Schedule

Spain v England, May 12, WON 61-0.

Italy v England, May 15, KO 5pm BST

France v England, May 19, KO 630pm

LAST stop London! After 75,000 miles clocked up travelling around the globe, our final destination in the HSBC Sevens World Series this year for the first time ever is Twickenham Stadium and the Marriott London Sevens.

I can tell you it was a dream to just have a short flight from Glasgow to London as it’s not uncommon for us to cross multitudes of time zones as we move from one venue to another. I think as a result this weekend you will see a lot of energy from all the teams on the pitch as they can use the time this week to recharge and get ready for 100,000-plus supporters this weekend in the finale of the series.

Last weekend was a big step in the direction of travel for this team and England Sevens. We have always wanted to play a fast attacking style but it has taken time to really hit its straps. It’s not a quick fix and it takes time to put in this sort of cultural model into play.

I guess we put down a major marker of how determined we are to play this way by our approach in extra-time in the semi final against Fiji.

We caught the ball off our own kick off and then went 18 passes, one ruck, about 40 metres backwards and across the width of the field three times before finding the space to exploit and score the winning try.

I was so pleased to see all the hours of practice pay off and it was even better it was tested under the duress of extra time against such a fantastic team like Fiji.

The final felt like one that got away and with around 90 seconds left and 19-14 down against New Zealand we felt all we needed was to get hold of the ball and our attack would grab the decisive winner.

Alas, we were penalised near our line and effectively with it the game was over and our chance gone. Yes, we had three tough games against Australia, South Africa and Fiji in the run to the final but we felt fresh and ready for the battle.

So, we left disappointed but also quietly pleased now we know that our style is bedded in and as more games are played the confidence will grow and we will improve more and more.

It’s been the first time we have also had a group playing that we know are in the programme next year as well, so collectively everyone is driving hard in the same direction. It is a hugely exciting time and I’m sure we will inevitably hit some choppy waters this weekend and in the future but the progress the lads have made has been brilliant and I’m so proud of their efforts.

So, to this weekend and our chances. New Zealand will be desperate to win the series in style and Fiji will want to remind everyone just how good they have been this year.

Samoa, I felt, played some superb stuff in Scotland and they too will be keen to take out another tournament. Wales also continued all their huge strides this year and have really become a fantastic side under Paul John. I think all the European sides will have a good showing in the final event. I also hope you can see how well i have side-stepped my own question!

I’m sure our team will be doing just the same against opposing players as they play at full throttle this weekend, dodging and weaving their way forward.

The team this year have been incredibly hard-working in wanting to get better and they are a huge credit on and off the field to England Rugby.

They play their socks off for their country and that’s all I ask this weekend. I’m sure as the tournament goes on, I’ll turn more and more from coach into a fan as I let them go out onto the Twickenham turf and just go for it. Come on England!