May 14th, 2008
Four players will make their international debuts on Saturday when England take on Sweden in Amsterdam in the European Championship curtain raiser, kick-off 430pm BST.
Lichfield duo Rosemarie Crowley and Vicki Jackson, Bath’s Marlie Packer and Richmond’s Francesca Matthews have all be named in England Head Coach Gary Street’s starting line-up. A fifth player, Fiona Pocock from Richmond RFC, could also make her debut if she is called off the bench for the Swedish clash.
The team also includes some very experienced players, including a bench that can boast nearly 200 caps between them and the current England captain Catherine Spencer.
England Head Coach Street, who guided England to a third and unprecedented RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam in March, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the five uncapped players to show what they can do at this level. I am keen to blood these players so they can get settled early on in the tournament. This is still a strong starting line-up with a formidable bench to back them up.
“Sweden have progressed a lot over the last couple of years and have a new coaching team in place that I know are doing lots of good things. I have been over to see them and I know they also have some very good individual players. This is also their first European Championships so I’m sure they’ll be looking to make an impression. For us, we need to make a strong start as this is a knock out tournament from the first game.”
The European Championships will see 14 teams from across Europe compete for the coveted crown, including all the Home Nations teams as well as France, Spain, the Netherlands and Sweden.
If England, who are seeded in Group A, defeat Sweden they will compete in the semi-finals on May 20th. The final takes place on May 24th.
England Team
1 Claire Purdy Wasps
2 Samantha Dale Worcester
3 Rosemarie Crowley Lichfield
4 Sarah Beale Leos
5 Joanna McGilchrist Wasps
6 Sarah Hunter Lichfield
7 Marlie Packer Bath
8 Karen Jones Richmond
9 Georgina Rozario Plymouth Albion
10 Katy McLean Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
11 Francesca MatthewsRichmond
12 Kimberley Oliver Clifton
13 Vicki Jackson Lichfield
14 Katherine Merchant Worcester
15 Vicky Massarella Saracens
Replacements:
16 Amy Garnett Saracens
17 Rochelle Clark Henley
18 Tamara Taylor Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
19 Margaret Alphonsi Saracens
20 Catherine Spencer Worcester
21 Amy Turner Richmond
22 Fiona Pocock Richmond
Match day captain to be announced.
Head Coach Gary Street
Assistant Coach Graham Smith
Ends…
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