Women's Rugby World Cup 2014: Katy Mclean to lead experienced side in Paris as England name squad that look to go one better at the World Cup

England are looking to build on 2010's final defeat

Agency
Thursday 10 July 2014 10:01 BST
Comments
Katy McLean of England in action during the Women's Six Nations match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stoop on March 7, 2014 in London, England
Katy McLean of England in action during the Women's Six Nations match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stoop on March 7, 2014 in London, England

England have named an experienced squad for the Women's Rugby World Cup, which begins in France next month.

Fly-half Katy Mclean will captain England, runners-up in the 2010 tournament, with five players taking part in their third World Cup.

Flanker Margaret Alphonsi, centre Rachael Burford, lock Tamara Taylor, full-back Danielle Waterman and prop Rochelle Clark were all involved in the 2006 and 2010 tournaments and seven more played in 2010.

Clark is the most-capped player in the group after being involved in 91 international matches.

Head coach Gary Street said: "This is a really exciting and strong squad going into a World Cup.

"We have a good balance of new, fresh players hungry for their first World Cup experience but also several more experienced heads."

England's first game is against Samoa on August 1 in Marcoussis.

England Women's Rugby World Cup squad;

Backs: Claire Allan (Richmond), Rachael Burford (Thurrock), Natasha Hunt (Lichfield), Ceri Large (Worcester), La Toya Mason (Wasps), Katy Mclean (captain, Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Katherine Merchant (Worcester), Amber Reed (Bristol), Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), Lydia Thompson (Worcester), Danielle Waterman (Bristol), Kay Wilson (Bristol).

Forwards: Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens), Rochelle Clark (Worcester), Emma Croker (Richmond), Rebecca Essex (Richmond), Heather Fisher (Worcester), Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield), Sophie Hemming (Bristol), Sarah Hunter (vice-captain, Lichfield), Laura Keates (Worcester), Alexandra Matthews (Richmond), Joanna McGilchrist (Wasps), Marlie Packer (Wasps), Claire Purdy (Wasps), Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks).

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in