“It is an extremely exciting time for women’s rugby in England. Given the number of injuries to some of the more senior players in recent months, the Canada games have provided us with an ideal opportunity to select some of the emerging players within the game.

Throughout the Super 4s these players have been demonstrating that they are more than capable of playing at a very high level. I have no doubt that they will be able to make the step up to international rugby over the next fortnight.”

The squad of 23 is as follows:

Margaret Alphonsi	Karen Andrew	Susie Appleby
Charlotte Barras	Shannon Baker	Rochelle Clarke
Helen Clayton	Nicola Crawford	Sue Day
Amy Garnett	Paula George	Vanessa Gray
Claire Green	Vanessa Huxford	Vicky Massarella
Selena Rudge	Kim Shaylor	Catherine Spencer
Georgia Stevens	Jenny Sutton	Rachel Vickers
Danielle Waterman	Jo Yapp

The team to line-up against Canada in the first test will be confirmed following training this evening with the announcement available for the media on Wednesday morning.

The two games against Canada are to be played on the 14th November at Richmond RFC, kick-off 2.00pm and on the 17th November at Newbury RFC, kick-off 6.30pm.