November 20th, 2006
England Women’s head coach Geoff Richards today (Monday) announced his 2006/2007 Elite England squad.
The squad of 41 players, which will be expanded to 44 following further selections from the Regional and other programmes, will look to defend their Six Nations Grand Slam crown which they won in impressive form in March.
Following a handful of retirements after England’s second place finish in IRB Rugby World Cup in Canada this September there are 18 newcomers to the squad, including Worcester’s Samantha Dale who has progressed through the Students and Regional Programme player pathway, Thirsk’s Jane Leonard, who’s back in the squad after a year out to concentrate on her army training, Claire Allen, Georgina Roberts, Amber Penrith and Sarah Beale who are all products of the RFUW Academy system.
Also included in the squad are 17 members of England’s Rugby World Cup squad, including Wasps Sue Day, Clifton’s Georgia Stevens and Saracens Maggie Alphonsi.
Richards said: “This is a very exciting squad who I am sure will do women’s rugby proud again this season when we kick-off the Six Nations championship in February.
“Inevitably after the World Cup there were retirements, but we still have several experienced members in the squad who will steady the ship. I will also be looking to the younger members of our World Cup squad, the likes of Danielle Waterman, Michaela Staniford and Maggie Alphonsi, to stand up and become the new leaders.
“I have also included several newcomers in the squad and all of these are very talented players who I am sure will stand up and be counted. We are lucky to have a very successful player pathway system which continuously produces first-class athletes, so I am sure this season will make for some very exciting times.”
Rosie Williams, RFUW Managing Director, added: “This is a very exciting time for us. It is testament to our system that we have the depth to be able to pull in some good quality players to replace those who have worked so hard through the last world cup campaign. The mix of players also highlights that our development work through the regional and youth programs is working and further investment will be made so we can ensure we continue to produce a good stream of players. "
RFUW Elite player squad
Claire Allen, Centre, Saracens
Margaret Alphonsi, Flanker, Saracens,
Karen Andrew, Fly-half, Saracens,
Charlotte Barras, Full-back/wing Saracens
Sarah Beale, No. 8 Leodiensian
Natalie Binstead Lock Wasps
Rachel Burford Centre Saracens
Leah Carey Backrow Lichfield
Rochelle Clark Prop Henley
Emily Cooke Wing Clifton
Rosemarie Crowlwy Prop Lichfield
Samantha Dale Prop Worcester
Sue Day Wing/centre Wasps
Emma Dresser Lock Lichfield
Becky Essex Lock Richmond
Amy Garnett Hooker Saracens
Vanessa Gray Prop Wasps
Sophie Hemming Prop Clifton
Sarah Hunter Flanker Lichfield
Emma Layland Hooker Richmond
Jane Leonard Backrow Wasps
Vicky Massarella Fullback Saracens
Jo McGilchrist Lock Wasps
Katy McLean Fly-half Thirsk
Katherine Merchant Wing Worcester
Kim Oliver Centre Clifton
Amber Penrith Wing Cardiff Quins
Fiona Pocock Fly-half Richmond
Shelley Rae Fly-half Wasps
Georgina Roberts Fullback Thirsk
Georgina Rosario Scrum-half Plymouth Albion
Harriet Slynn Scrum-half Richmond
Catherine Spencer No. 8 Worcester
Michaela Staniford Centre Henley
Georgia Stevens Backrow Clifton
Katy Storie Prop Blaydon
Tamara Taylor Lock Thirsk
Olivia Thomas Backrow Plymouth Albion
Amy Turner Scrum-half Wasps
Danielle Waterman Scrum-half-wing Clifton
Joanne Watmore Fullback Thirsk
England Six Nations Fixtures:
England v Scotland, February 3rd, kick-off 230pm at Old Albanians RFC
England v Italy, February 10th, kick-off 415pm at Twickenham
Ireland v England, February 26th, kick-off 2pm at Limerick
England v France, March 11th, kick-off 145pm at Old Albanians RFC
Wales v England, March 17th, kick-off 230pm at Taff Wells RFC
Ends…
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