March 6th, 2007
England IRB Rugby World Cup finalist Shelley Rae will lead England A this Sunday when the Red Roses take on France A at Old Albanians RFC, kick-off 12pm.
The Wasps fly-half, who has 44 caps, will lead a side brimming with youth and experience against a strong France A outfit who pushed England A to a thrilling 15-22 victory in Boudoufle, Paris a year ago.
The game will also see the return of Clifton centre Kim Oliver who has been out of action with a back injury since the Rugby World Cup Final, which England narrowly lost 25-17, in September.
Clifton prop Sophie Hemming will also add some experience to the front-row after three impressive outings for England in the RBS 6 Nations this season. Worcester wing Katherine Merchant also has two caps for England, marking her debut with a try against Ireland in 2005. Saracens fullback Vicky Massarella also has 12 caps.
Head coach Amanda Bennett said: “This really is a team which is a mixture of youth and experience. Shelley has a lot of caps under her belt and as fly-half and captain she will have a vital role in leading the side. Sophie, who has made a real impression playing for England in the RBS 6 Nations, will also be a vital addition.
“It is also great to see Kim back in action. She has been suffering with an injury and hopefully Sunday will see her make a successful return. This is a great opportunity for her.”
The likes of Fiona Pocock, who’s one of the youngest members of England’s Elite squad at just 17-years-old, will start the game on the wing. This will be the Richmond player’s first outing for England A after playing for England Under 19s last year.
Bennett added: “We have got some really exciting fresh, young players coming through the RFUW player pathways and playing France A on Sunday will be a real test for them.
“When we played France A a year ago, without wanting to pull out another cliché out of the bag, it really was a game of two halves. It was a game played in a very vocal stadium and the conditions were horrendous and that took its toll on us in the first-half. After the break, however, we made a fabulous turn-around, and with Shelley Rae having a huge influence, we took the win.
“I am expecting France A to be just as tough this weekend. They have developed a lot over the past couple of seasons and my impression is that they are improving each year. It’s certainly going to be a thrilling game on Sunday.”
England A will also play the Nomads, a representative side similar to that of the men’s Barbarians, on Friday March 16th at Clifton RFC, kick-off 7pm.
England A
1 Sophie Hemming Clifton
2 Samantha Dale Worcester
3 Katie Smith Richmond
4 Becky Essex Richmond
5 Emma Dresser Lichfield
6 Sonia Green Saracens
7 Jane Leonard Wasps
8 Leah Carey Lichfield
9 Georgia Rozario Plymouth Albion
10 Shelley Rae Wasps (captain)
11 Fiona Pocock Richmond
12 Kim Oliver Clifton
13 Georgina Roberts Thirsk
14 Katherine Merchant Worcester
15 Joanne Watmore Thirsk
Replacements:
16 Ollie Poore Lichfield
17 Rosemarie Crowley Lichfield
18 Natalie Binstead Wasps
19 Sara Anastasi Richmond
20 Harriet Slynn Richmond
21 Vicky Massarella Saracens
22 Vicky Jackson Lichfield
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