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England Women Name Side To Face Wales
by RFUW Press
England Head Coach Geoff Richards today announced his squad to face Wales in
the fourth round of the 2002 women's Six Nations at London Welsh RFC in Kew
on Sunday 24th March (Kick-off 2:30pm).
The squad sees several changes from the team that suffered a shock defeat by
the French in Tournon. In the forwards, Richmond's 'T' Andrews replaces
club and England team-mate Jenny Sutton in the second row, and Saracens'
Claire Frost dons the no.8 short ahead of Waterloo stalwart Gill Burns. In
the backs, Susie Appleby of Saracens starts ahead of Wasps' Shelley Rae and
Richmond's Nicky Jupp comes in at outside centre to replace Sue Day.
"I felt there were a couple of players who didn't perform against France and
others who deserve a run," explained Richards. "Jenny Sutton has been a bit
hampered by injury with her training and that's affected her recent form.
Teresa Andrews has made a good recovery from injury through the 'A' team and
should add some punch up front. In the centre, Sue Day has had a bit of an
up-and-down season and didn't have a good game against France. Nicky Jupp
is another experienced international player who has made a good recovery
from long-term injury and has performed well with the 'A's."
"We've got two very able players vying for the no.10 shirt," he continued.
"Susie Appleby is a very good ball runner and defender and Shelley Rae has a
superb boot and is an all-rounder. I want to give them both plenty of game
time leading into the World Cup. Unfortunately, Shelley had a bout of food
poisoning last weekend and was unable to train, so Susie gets the start.
This also affected the decision to bring Claire Frost in at no.8, who will
take on the kicks at goal."
England remain strong favourites for the match, despite their loss in the
last round against France. The Welsh have struggled to find form again this
year, their only win so far against the inexperienced Irish.
England squad to play vs Wales at 2:30pm on Sunday 24th March 2002 at London
Welsh RFC:
15. Paula George (Wasps) - Captain
14. Nicky Crawford (Worcester)
13. Nicky Jupp (Richmond)
12. Selena Rudge (Clifton)
11. Emily Feltham (Richmond)
10. Susie Appleby (Clifton)
9. Jo Yapp (Worcester)
1. Vanessa Huxford (Wasps)
2. Amy Garnett (Saracens)
3. Maxine Edwards (Saracens)
4. Karen Henderson (Clifton)
5. Teresa Andrews (Richmond)
6. Georgia Stevens (Clifton)
7. Helen Clayton (Saracens)
8. Clare Frost (Saracens)
16. Anne O'Flynn (Waterloo)
17. Sharon Whitehead (Richmond)
18. Jenny Phillips (Saracens)
19. Gill Burns (Waterloo)
20. Shelley Rae (Wasps)
21. Assunta De Biase (Saracens)
22. Chris Diver (Richmond)
Schedule for March 24th, 2002:
11am Kick-off : England A v Wales A (London Welsh RFC)
2:30pm Kick-off : England v Wales (London Welsh RFC)
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