- England Women name strong side despite five injuries
- Aplhonsi and Taylor return following long lay-offs
The England Women's team to face world champions New Zealand for the first of three tests in November has been announced.
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.
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 17 at Esher RFC, kick off 7pm, and then England will back in action against New Zealand at Twickenham Stadium on November 21, kick off 4.45pm, in the Investec Challenge Double Header, with entry to the stadium free after 4.15pm.
England Women’s team to face New Zealand on November 14:
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)