Richardson will be joined by Thirsk duo Tamara Taylor (second-row) and Hannah Dawson (prop) while Clifton’s Kim Oliver could also be set to make her England debut.

Richards said: “This tour is very important from the perspective of us finding out where we stand in comparison to New Zealand, who are the reigning world champions. It is important to see how our players can perform against them.

“There are some new faces in the squad who will not have played against the Black Ferns before and this will be an opportunity for them and the rest of the squad to pit themselves against some of the best players in the world.

“I am delighted to have been able to include Alice in the squad. To some she may be a surprise inclusion but she has developed as a player tremendously over the last few months. This will be an exciting opportunity for her.”

England Women last played New Zealand in the 2004 Churchill Cup in Canada and although the Red Roses could not cope with the ferocity of the New Zealanders then losing 34-0, Richards is confident history will not be repeating itself.

He added: “I have never come across a bad New Zealand team. They will be very strong. I know they have been experimenting and developing new players on their recent tour to Canada but so have we and this will be our opportunity to turn around that defeat in Canada.”

England’s last World Cup experience was also taking on the Black Ferns in the final in Barcelona, and since then England have enjoyed a successful build-up to the all important 2005-2006 season. Richards’ side finished second in the Six Nations championship, losing out only to France who triumphed by just one score in the second game of the tournament.

England Women’s squad

Alphonsi, Maggie (Saracens),
Andrew, Karen (Saracens),
Baker, Shannon (Clifton),
Barras, Charlotte (Lichfield),
Clarke, Rochelle (Henley),
Clayton, Helen (Saracens),
Crawford, Nicky (Worcester),
Dawson, Hannah (Thirsk),
Day, Sue (Wasps),
Garnett, Amy (Saracens),
Gray, Vanessa (Wasps),
Huxford, Vanessa (Wasps),
Jones, Karen (Wasps),
Massarella, Vicky (Saracens),
O’Flynn, Anne (Lichfield),
Oliver, Kim     (Clifton),
Richardson, Alice (Worcester),
Rudge, Selena (Wasps),
Shaylor, Kim  (Worcester),
Spencer, Catherine  (Clifton),
Staniford, Michaela   (Henley)
Stevens, Georgia      (Clifton)
Sutton, Jenny (Richmond),
Taylor, Tamara (Thirsk)
Turner, Amy   (Wasps)
Vickers, Rachel (Richmond),
Waterman, Danielle  (Henley)
Yapp, Jo (Worcester), C