England A Women to face Spain
Feb
The England Women's A team to face Spain on Saturday at London Welsh RFC, kick-off 1145am, has today (Tuesday) been announced.
The 22 line-up includes several experienced players including Rachael Burford, Emma Layland, Katherine Merchant, Michaela Staniford and Claire Allan who are all looking to get more game time under their belts ahead of the San Diego and Rugby World Cup Sevens.
Wasps prop Claire Purdy once again leads the A team, and she is joined in the side by A team regulars Sara Anastasi and Sarah Guest.
England's clash against Spain is the first of four fixtures for the A team over the next two months. They will also play France A and the Nomads twice at London Welsh RFC.
England A Head Coach Mike Barnett said: "This team is a real mix of experienced players and A team regulars, so it will be interesting to see how the squad get on with putting together a strong, cohesive team performance. There are lots of very talented individual players here, but they need to work together and put on a good team performance on the pitch.
"This is the start of a busy campaign for the A team and we are very much looking forward to it. All our games are going to be tough and very demanding but that is exactly what you need for A team rugby, because A team rugby is all about developing players for the next level."
England A
1 Claire Purdy C Wasps
2 Emma Layland Richmond
3 Monica Lewinska Bristol
4 Rowena Burnfield Richmond
5 Sara Anastasi Richmond
6 Sarah Hunter Lichfield
7 Heather Fisher Wasps
8 Sarah Beale Lichfield
9 Sarah Guest Worcester
10 Danielle Knight Lichfield
11 Michaela Staniford Wasps
12 Rachael Burford Saracens
13 Claire Allan Saracens
14 Katherine Merchant Worcester
15 Abi Chamberlain Worcester
Replacements:
16 Olivia Poore Lichfield
17 Laura Keates Worcester
18 Jenny Brightmore Loughborough
19 Isabelle Noel-Smith Bath
20 La Toya Mason Wasps
21 Elizabeth Riley Wasps
22 Darel Poole Bath
Head Coach: Mike Barnett
Assistant Coaches: Andy Paton & Gavin Williams
England A Fixtures
Feb 7th England A v Spain 11.45am London Welsh RFC
Feb 28th England A v Nomads TBC London Welsh RFC
March 15th England A v France A1145am London Welsh RFC
March 21st England A v Nomads 1145am London Welsh RFC
