Super League is a new tournament designed to provide a high level of intense competition and consistently test the skills of the country’s top female players as England prepare for the Rugby World Cup in Canada next summer.

Around 90 England eligible players have been taken out of the regular club season to compete in one of four teams in a two round league tournament.  The 44 members of England’s Elite squad will only play Super League and England representative rugby this season.

Thunder, who train at Nottingham University, take on the Tornados (St. Mary’s Twickenham) at 12pm before Gloucestershire-based Stormers go for glory against Hapenden-based side the Hurricanes (145pm). The remaining five rounds of Super League will be played at venues from as far and wide as Sale to Twickenham with the RFUW hoping to secure some curtain-raiser games at Guinness Premiership clubs.

Stormers’ coach Gary Street said: “The Super League series is a fantastic opportunity for every player to put their hands up for England selection this year, which is especially important in a world cup year.

“If somebody stands up and is the best player in their position over six Super League games then they will be putting down a real marker. This is a great opportunity for any player, whether they are already in the England Elite squad or not, to push for international recognition. Super League will provide a level playing platform for everyone.

“The other benefit to the series is that it will mean England will be able to develop much more depth to the squad. Over the six rounds the England coaches will be able to see a wider number of players in action so if there are injuries during the World Cup period we will be in a very strong position.

“From a regional point of view the Stormers have got some new, really exciting talent coming from the Plymouth region which is something we have never really had before.  We have also been bolstered with some girls from London.”

Amanda Bennett, Hurricanes coach, added: “Although it has been a real challenge to bring together an entirely new squad to compete competitively against the other three new Super League teams in such a short space of time, this is a very exciting competition.

“With the chance for players to put themselves in the England and World squad reckoning Super League is going to create some very competitive rugby which is great for the players but also the people who come to watch the games. Not only will there be the team ethos of winning, but there will be selection opportunities up for grabs too.”

Rosie Williams, RFUW Managing Director, said: “We are really excited about the new Super League Series. The tournament will serve as a great way to improve the profile of women’s rugby in England and it’s expected that the standards of all the players involved will improve and therefore contribute to both the club and the international game.”

Kit sponsors Canterbury New Zealand added: “We are thrilled to be partnering the four Super League teams. Women’s rugby is an important part of our business and we are excited by the prospect of seeing the four teams take advantage of our new armourfit layering rugby system. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial partnership with the RFUW.”

Team squads:

THUNDER (coached by Graham Smith, RFUW England assistant coach)
 
1. Hannah Dawson (Thirsk), 2. Anne O’Flynn (Lichfield), 3. Isobel Howard (Vale of Lune), 4. Tamara Taylor (Thirsk) C, 5. Becky Essex (Worcester). 6. Kerry Barber (Worcester), 7. Jane Leonard (Thirsk), 8. Sarah Beale (Leos), 9. Jo Yapp (Worcester), 10. Alice Lovett (Worcester), 11. Lucy Lynch (Lichfield), 12. Ellen Small (Waterloo), 13. Kim Shaylor (Worcester), 14. Nicky Crawford (Worcester), 15 Jo Watmore (Thirsk). Replacements: 16. Jen Allum/Ollie Poore (Leos/Lichfield), 17. Kelly Wallis/Roz Crowley (Thirsk/Lichfield), 18. Hannah Shield (Thirsk), 19. Lynn Hodgkinson (Thirsk), 20. Abi Mowbray (Thirsk), 21. Debbie Mason (Lichfield), 22. Charlotte Beaman (Worcester).

TORNADOS (coached by Geoff Richards, RFUW England head coach)
 
1. Rochelle Clark (Henley) C, 2. Selena Rudge (Wasps), 3. Vanessa Huxford (Wasps), 4. Jen Lyne (Saracens), 5. Jo McGilchrist (Wasps), 6. Shannon Baker (Richmond), 7. Maggie Alphonsi (Saracens), 8. Karen Jones (Wasps), 9. Susie Appleby (Clifton), 10. Shelly Rae (Wasps), 11. Sarah Wakeford (Richmond), 12. Rachael Burford (Henley), 13. Michaela Staniford (Henley), 14. Sarah Marsh (Wasps), 15. Sue Day (Wasps). Replacements: 16. Clare Steer (Henley), 17. Hannah Farquharson (Richmond), 18. Heidi Shelburg (Wasps), 19. Laura Jenkins (Richmond), 20. TBC, 21. Sally Wise (Saracens), 22. TBC.

HURRICANES (coached by Amanda Bennett)
  
1. Max Edwards (Saracens), 2. Amy Garnett (Saracens), 3. Vanessa Gray (Wasps), 4. Jo Nicholson (Lichfield), 5. Emma Dresser (Lichfield). 6. Sarah Hunter (Lichfield), 7. Helen Clayton (Saracens), 8. Clare Frost (Saracens), 9. Lou Seymour (Saracens), 10. Karen Andrew (Saracens), 11. Emily Ryall (Saracens), 12. Amy Turner (Wasps), 13. Charlotte Barras (Lichfield), 14. Kate Barnes (Old Albanians), 15. Vicky Massarella (Saracens). Replacements: 16. Emma Layland (Richmond), 17. Sam Dale (Worcester), 18. Ali Stevens (Lichfield), 19. Sonia Green (Saracens), 20. Sarah Hudson (Henley), 21. Karina Page (Old Albanians), 22. Sarah Gardner ( Lboro Uni).

STORMERS (coached by Gary Street, RFUW England Academy coach)
   
1. Sophie Hemming (Clifton), 2. Clare Purdy (Wasps), 3. Katie Storie (Worcester) C, 4. Nat Binstead (Wasps), 5. Rachael Vickers (Richmond), 6. Georgia Stevens (Clifton), 7. Lois Moulding (Worcester), 8. Cath Spencer (Clifton), 9. Nolli Waterman (Henley), 10. Alice Richardson (Worcester), 11. Amber Penrith (Worcester), 12. Kim Oliver (Clifton), 13. Clare Allan (Worcester), 14. Emily Cooke (Clifton), 15. George Roberts (Avon). Replacements: 16. Katy White (Worcester), 17. Helen Duffin (Plymouth), 18. Helen Durman (Saracens), 19. Helen Amos (UWIC), 20. Terry Cormack (Plymouth), 21. Nancy Stone (Henley), 22. Anna Sheppard (Plymouth).
    
Match Schedule:

Date Match Venue and KO
Sun 20th Nov Thunder v Tornados Moseley RFC, 12 noon
Sun 20th Nov Stormers v Hurricanes Moseley RFC, 1.45pm
  
Sat 10th Dec Stormers v Tornados  Bristol RFC (TBC)
Sun 11th Dec Thunder v Hurricanes Moseley RFC, 1.45pm
  
Sun 18th Dec Tornados v  Hurricanes Moseley RFC 12 noon
Sun 18th Dec Stormers v Thunder Moseley RFC, 1.45pm
  
Fri 7th April  Thunder v Hurricanes Sale RFC (TBC)
Sun 9th April Stormers v Tornados
(Possibility of Bristol on Saturday) Moseley RFC, 1.45pm
  
Fri 28th April Thunder v Stormers Sale RFC (TBC)
Sun 30th April Hurricanes v Tornados Wasps (TBC)
  
Sat 13th May Stormers v Hurricanes Twickenham (TBC)
Sun 14th May Tornados v  Thunder Moseley RFC, 1.45pm

Please note: Venues and kick-off times could change, so check out www.rfu.com for all the latest fixtures.

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