January 24th, 2006
England Women’s head coach Geoff Richards has today (Tuesday) named his starting line-up for England’s Six Nations opener against Wales (February 4th, kick-off 5.30pm, Old Albanians RFC).
Richards has selected a side brimming with experience as the women bid for that elusive Grand Slam title which France have denied them since 2003.
Worcester’s Joanne Yapp will lead the side, which includes experienced heads such as Karen Andrew at fly-half, Nicola Crawford on the wing and Susan Day at fullback.
Youth has also been added to the mix with players such as Maggie Alphonsi, Michaela Staniford and Kim Oliver having done more than enough to earn their place in the starting line-up. Wasps player Shelley Rae also returns to the fold after a year out with a knee injury.
Richards said: “We are really excited that the Six Nations is just around the corner again and I personally am really excited about what I think we can achieve. I have named a squad who are vastly experienced but have also included some youngsters who have certainly proven their worth this season.
“The last two seasons we have come off second best to France, but that is going to change this season. We want to go into a World Cup year winning the Grand Slam and we also want to send a message to France to say that we really can beat them, even in their own backyard.
“I am also delighted to have been able to welcome back Shelley Rae to the squad. She has been out for a long time following knee reconstruction, but she has worked very hard to get herself back up to this level. She is now coming back to her best form.”
England last played Wales at Cardiff Arms Park in the Six Nations last season and came away easy winners with an 81-0 win. Richards, however, is adamant that their Welsh rivals will be in tougher form this time around.
He added: “Wales are going to be a lot stronger than they were last year. Since then their captain, Mel Berry, is back and she is a very talented player. They also have some of their more experienced players back so we won’t be underestimating them. I know Wales have been training hard so they will be tough opposition.”
Worcester’s Kim Shaylor (ankle), Saracens’ Vicky Massarella (quad) and Richmond’s Shannon Baker (knee) are all unavailable due to injury.
England team v Wales:
1 Rochelle Clark Henley
2 Selena Rudge Saracens
3 Vanessa Gray Wasps
4 Jennifer Sutton Richmond
5 Rachel Vickers Richmond
6 Georgia Stevens Clifton
7 Margaret Alphonsi Saracens
8 Catherine Spencer Folkestone
9 Joanne Yapp Worcester
10 Karen Andrew Saracens
11 Charlotte Barras Lichfield
12 Kim Oliver Clifton
13 Michaela Staniford Henley
14 Nicola Crawford Worcester
15 Susan Day Wasps
Replacements:
16 Amy Garnett Saracens
17 Vanessa Huxford Wasps
18 Tamara Taylor Thirsk
19 Helen Clayton Saracens
20 Danielle Waterman Henley
21 Shelley Rae Wasps
22 Amy Turner Wasps
England Women’s Six Nations fixtures:
England v Wales, February 4th, kick-off 5.30pm, Old Albanians RFC
England v Spain, February 11th, kick-off 4pm, La Ciudad Universitaria Madrid,
England v Scotland, February 25th, kick-off 715pm, Murrayfield
England v France, March 11th, kick-off 5pm, Bondoufle, Paris
England v Ireland, March 18th, kick-off 3pm, Old Albanians RFC
Ends…
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