September 10th, 2006

England head coach Geoff Richards has today (Sunday) named his team to take on Canada in the semi-finals of the IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup on Tuesday at Ellerslie Rugby Park in Edmonton, kick-off mid-night BST.

England have played Canada four times in the last three World Cup and on all occasions the Red Roses have come away victorious, including a 53-10 win in the semi-finals of the 2002 Rugby World Cup in Barcelona.

On Tuesday, however, England will not only have to overcome a powerful Canadian outfit, who have beaten Spain and Kazakhstan, but also the host nation, who will have the hoards of fans behind them.

Richards, whose side have beaten USA (18-0), South Africa (74-8) and France (27-8) to reach the final four, said: “It’s not going to be an easy ride on Tuesday. Canada are a very physical side with a lot of pace out-wide and that is something we need to address to ensure we can beat them.

“They’ve also got the added bonus of playing at home and that is a huge advantage for them. When you have got your home crowd supporting you it’s a huge physiological advantage and it will give them a big lift.”

Richards has again made a handful of changes to his 22-woman squad, ensuring that all members of the World Cup party are getting game time and getting rest.

Clifton prop Katy Storie, who made her England debut against the USA in the tournament curtain-raiser game, makes her return to the starting line-up in the front-row partnering the experienced Wasps duo of Vanessa Huxford and Selena Rudge.

Richmond’s Jenny Lyne also returns to the second row to partner Jenny Sutton, while Helen Clayton, Shannon Baker and Catherine Spencer make up the backrow.

Henley’s Rachel Burford, who marked her debut for England with a try against South Africa, is back in at 12 alongside club teammate Michaela Staniford. Worcester’s Nicky Crawford returns also to wear the number 14 jersey.

Richards added: “It is very exciting to be in the semi-finals for a second World Cup running and I'm really pleased with the way the team have performed to get into the semi-finals.

“We’ve had a really tough draw, starting with a physical match against the USA. There was also a huge build-up to the France match and because we didn’t get that initial bonus point it made it even more of a pressurised game. I am really pleased with the way the team have responded. They seem to thrive under pressure and I’m sure our match against Canada will be another pressure situation they’ll respond to.”

England

1 Vanessa Huxford   (Wasps),
2 Selena Rudge  (Wasps),
3 Katy Storie   (Clifton),
4 Jennifer Sutton   (Richmond),
5 Jenny Lyne   (Richmond),
6 Shannon Baker   (Richmond),
7 Helen Clayton   (Saracens) (VC),
8 Catherine Spencer (Folkestone),
9 Jo Yapp    (Worcester) (C)
10 Karen Andrew   (Saracens)
11 Kim Shaylor   (Worcester)
12 Rachel Burford   (Henley),
13 Michaela Staniford  (Henley),
14 Nicky Crawford   (Worcester)
15 Charlotte Barras   (Lichfield)
Replacements:
16 Amy Garnett   (Saracens)
17 Vanessa Gray   (Wasps)
18 Tamara Taylor  (Thirsk)
19 Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens)
20 Danielle Waterman  (Henley)
21 Shelley Rae   (Wasps),
22 Sue Day     (Wasps)

England’s World Cup Schedule:

August 31st   England v USA at Ellerslie Rugby Park, Edmonton,
KO 12am BST WON 18-0
September 4th  England v South Africa at Ellerslie Rugby Park, Edmonton    KO 9.30pm BST WON 74-8
September 8th  England v France at St. Albert RFC, Edmonton
   KO Mid-night BST WON 27-8
September 12th  Semi-finals:
New Zealand v France, Ellerslie Rugby Park , 930pm BST  
England v Canada, Ellerslie Rugby Park, mid-night BST
September 16th  Consolation Finals (All Ellerslie Rugby Park):
Loser M21 v Loser M22, KO mid-night BST
Winner M23 v Winner M24, KO 9.30pm BST
Loser M23 v Loser M24, KO 7pm BST  
September 17th  Finals (All at the Commonwealth Stadium)
Winner M21 v Winner M 22, KO 7pm BST
Loser M19 v Loser M20, KO 9.30pm BST

Ends..