February 21st, 2006

England Women’s Academy coach Gary Street has today (Tuesday) announced his starting line-up to take on the Netherlands at the Dutch National Rugby Stadium in Amsterdam this Sunday, kick-off 12.30pm GMT.

Taking on a full national side will be a big step up for the aspiring England internationals, but Street is confident his students can step up to the challenge.

He said: “We are playing a full national side who have taken some big steps forward in recent years with new coaching staff and new players. They will be a challenging side to take on and I am expecting a tough game, but hopefully it will be a fast-flowing game with some attractive rugby on offer played in a national stadium.

“The girls proved to me against Wales Development that they have a lot of talent to offer. We beat Wales well and that was an impressive performance so we have reason to be confident for our next fixture.”

Since England Students’ 47-5 win over Wales Development earlier this month Street has made six changes to the starting line-up. Birmingham University’s Tracey Balmer starts at prop, while Bath University’s George Rozario starts at scrum-half. There are changes on both the wings too with Loughborough University duo Lucy Lynch and Sarah Gardener both starting. Jo McGilchrist and Clare Turner swap positions in the second-row.

He added: “Am important part of developing the students squad is to give everyone game time so that is why I have made a number of changes. It is going to be exciting to see the two new wings on the field. They are both players with a lot of pace and I think they can make a real impact.”

England Students team:
1 Tracey Balmer (Worcester RFC & Birmingham University)
2 Jenny Allum (Leo’s & Leeds University)
3 Katherine Smith (Rosslyn Park & King College London)
4 Jo McGilchrist (Wasps & University of London)
5 Clare Turner (University of Bristol)
6 Leah Carey (Lichfield & Coventry University)
7 Gemma Sharples (Worcester & University of Worcester)
8 Terri Cormack (Plymouth Albion & Marjons)
9 George Rozario (Avon & Bath University)
10 Alice Lovett (Worcester & University of Nottingham)
11 Lucy Lynch (Lichfield & Loughborough University)
12 Nancy Stone (Plymouth Albion & Marjons)
13 George Roberts (Avon & Bath University)
14 Sarah Gardener (Loughborough University)
15 Jo Whatmore (Thirsk Sharks & Durham & Houghall College)
Replacements:  
16 Kathryn Pearsey (UWIC)
17 Sarah White (Waterloo & Leeds University)
18 Helen Duffin (Plymouth Albion & Marjons)
19 Amy Frost (Rosslyn Park & Kings College London)
20 Rachel Chidgey (Marjons)
21 Adrienne McAlpine (Wasps & Loughborough University)
22 Sonia Clatworthy (Marjons)

England Women Students fixtures & results:
February 5th, 2006 England Women Students v Wales Development won 47-5 
England Students v Netherlands, February 26th, National Stadium in Amsterdam,
Sweden, April (date and venue to be confirmed).

Ends…