- England make one change ahead of final game against New Zealand
- Match will make up one half of unique double header
England Women have today named their starting line-up for Saturday’s Investec Challenge Double Header against world champions New Zealand, kick-off 4.45pm at Twickenham Stadium.
England Head Coach Gary Street has brought Richmond centre Rachael Burford into 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 Women’s team to face New Zealand at Twickenham on November 21:
15 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield)
14 Katherine Merchant (Worcester)
13 Claire Allan (Richmond)
12 Rachael Burford Richmond
11 Charlotte Barras Saracens
10 Katy Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, vice captain)
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 (Bristol, captain)
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)