England Women's team to face Wales in RBS 6 Nations opener!

The England Women's team to face Wales in the opening RBS 6 Nations match against Wales at London Irish RFC, Sunbury, on Saturday February 2^nd, kick-off 230pm, has today (Monday) been announced.

The defending champions, who are looking to record an unprecedented third Grand Slam victory in six nations history, will be led by Worcester Number 8 Catherine Spencer.

England also welcome back Saracens flanker Maggie Alphonsi to the starting line-up after the forward missed December's 34-0 victory over the USA. Alphonsi replaces Wasps and Army player Jane Leonard who has been named on the bench.

Wasps' Michaela Staniford has also been given the nod to start the tournament curtain raiser game on the wing, coming in for the injured Amber Penrith.

England Head Coach Gary Street said: "It's great to have such depth in quality of players at flanker and Jane had a very good game against the US. We are, however, pleased to be able to welcome back Maggie ahead of this important fixture. She is one of our most experienced players and it's a big boost. Another experienced player coming in is Michaela who is a talented player in both the centre and on the wing."

There are two other changes to the 22 that took on the USA last year. Worcester wing Katherine Merchant has been named on the bench and she will be looking to build on the two caps she already has, while fullback Victoria Massarella, who has 12 caps, will be looking for a return to international action.

England last played Wales in the final game of last year's RBS 6 Nations and ran out 30-0 winners to clinch the Grand Slam victory. Street, however, is expecting Wales to prove tougher opposition this time around.

He added: "Wales always have incredible determination and spirit. We never have an easy game against them and we know we will have to be on top of our game to start the championship with a win. They had a good six nations last season, one of their best for many seasons, and they also put in a good performance against Canada in December so we are expecting a very tough game.

"As reigning champions the pressure is on us, but I think it is better to have the pressure on us than not to. It spurs us on and makes us want to raise the bar even higher. We are feeling confident and we hope to continue our recent success in this tournament. In six nations history no one has ever won three back to back Grand Slams and it's that pressure that gives us that extra bite to our game and spurs us on to achieve more success."

England

1          Rochelle Clark                       Henley

2          Amy Garnett                           Saracens

3          Katy Storie                             Blaydon

4          Tamara Taylor                       Darlington Mowden Park Sharks

5          Joanna McGilchrist               Wasps

6          Sarah  Hunter                         Lichfield

7          Margaret Alphonsi                Saracens

8          Catherine Spencer (C)         Worcester

9          Amy Turner                            Richmond

10        Katy McLean                         Darlington Mowden Park Sharks

11        Michaela Staniford                Wasps

12        Rachael Burford                    Saracens

13        Claire  Allan                            Saracens

14        Danielle Waterman               Clifton

15        Charlotte Barras                    Saracens

Replacements:                                 

16        Emma Layland                       Richmond

17        Sophie Hemming                  Clifton

18        Sarah  Beale                          Leos

19        Jane Leonard                        Wasps/Army

20        Alice Richardson                   Richmond

21        Katherine Merchant              Worcester

22        Victoria Massarella               Saracens

Head Coach  Gary Street   

Assistant Coach Graham Smith     

England RBS 6 Nations Fixtures

February 2^nd   England v Wales   London Irish RFC, Sunbury KO 2.30pm

February 9^th   Italy v England  Stadio Tre Fontane, Rome, KO 2.30pm local time

February 23^rd France v England  Bergerac, nr Agen   KO 4pm local time

March 8^th  Scotland v England Meggetland Stadium,Edinburgh KO 315pm

March 15^th      England v Ireland London Irish RFC, Sunbury KO 4.45pm

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• England Women Six Nations Fixtures Schedule