Hockey: England invest for a place in the future

SUE SLOCOMBE, the England coach, has selected a squad looking to the future for the Women's Home Countries Championship, opening at the National Sports Centre, Cardiff, this morning, writes Bill Colwill. She has not called upon her most experienced players, the Olympians Sandie Lister, Jane Sixsmith, Tammy Miller and Kath Johnson.

Scotland's coach, Neil Menzies, has recalled Britain's experienced Wendy Fraser and Gil Messenger to his squad as he builds towards the Intercontinental Cup in Philadelphia in July, and also includes the Heriot-Watt student, Rhona Simpson. Otherwise he has stuck with the players who qualified for the Intercontinental Cup.

Wales have gambled with the choice of Lynda Watkin, who has been missing injured from the Sutton Coldfield line-up all season, to captain the squad which includes seven players from the Swansea club.

TODAY'S GAMES: Wales v Scotland (11.0am); England v Ireland (2.30pm).