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England Women call up for Fisher

Issued by Julia Hutton


England's Heather Fisher




Worcester's Heather Fisher will start for England Women in their game against Scotland in the RBS 6 Nations this Saturday at Meggatland in Edinburgh, kick off 130pm.

The flanker has replaced Lichfield's Jane Leonard who sustained an injury in a Premiership match on Sunday.

Fisher, who has nine caps for England, has been involved in each of England's Six Nations games, which has seen the defending champions win three matches out of three so far.

For the first time this season Darlington Mowden Park Sharks' Katy McLean will captain England with skipper Catherine Spencer starting on the bench. Worcester's Karen Jones, Richmond's Emma Layland and Bristol's Kim Oliver also return to the England squad for the first time this season after some impressive performances for England A. Richmond's Fiona Pocock will also make her first start for England at full back after missing England's 22-5 victory over Ireland because of illness.



England

15 Fiona Pocock Richmond
14 Katherine Merchant Worcester
13 Emily Scarratt Lichfield
12 Kimberley Oliver Bristol
11 Amber Penrith Worcester
10 Katy McLean (C) Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
9 Amy Turner Richmond
1 Claire Purdy Wasps
2 Emma Layland Richmond
3 Sophie Hemming Bristol
4 Rebecca Essex Richmond
5 Joanna McGilchrist Wasps
6 Karen Jones Worcester
7 Heather Fisher Worcester
8 Tamara Taylor Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
Replacements:
16 Amy Garnett Saracens
17 Rochelle Clark Team Northumbria
18 Margaret Alphonsi Saracens
19 Catherine Spencer Bristol
20 LaToya Mason Wasps
21 RachaelBurford Richmond
22 Francesca Matthews Richmond

England fly half Katy McLean says she can't wait to don the captaincy armband this Saturday when England take on Scotland in the RBS 6 Nations at Meggatland, Edinburgh, kick off 1.30pm.

McLean, who has been given the task of captaining England with Catherine Spencer on the bench, hopes to lead her country to a fourth successive Six Nations win which will keep England's defence of their title on track.

"Obviously it's a massive honour to captain your country, especially in the Six Nations," said McLean, who plays for Darlington Mowden Park Sharks. "I'm really excited about it, and I am just looking forward to getting out there and playing especially after a weekend off.

"We need to focus on the Scotland game as a priority. The most important thing is that we build on our performances so far and we win. Scotland will be really up for this game and we must have the same mind set.

"Scotland are always a tough opposition so the fact that they are playing at home after a draw away to Italy and a win against France will definitely give them confidence. They always have a good pack and have a lot of pace out wide which we will have to be aware of."

England Head Coach Gary Street has made a raft of changes to the squad, which includes giving Worcester's Karen Jones, Richmond's Emma Layland and Bristol's Kim Oliver their first starts for England this season after some impressive performances for England A. Richmond's Fiona Pocock will also make her first start for England at full back.

McLean added: "I think this is a great opportunity for the players who have come up to really prove themselves. All of them played really well for the As so hopefully they can do the same against Scotland. This tournament is massive for everyone as we are all competing to be in that world cup squad, so taking your opportunities are vital."

The 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup kicks off on August 20th at Surrey Sports Park in Guildford, with the semi finals and final being held at the Twickenham Stoop in September. Tickets for the WRWC will be available from Ticketmaster from March 22nd.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:03:10:16:17:59 by England Women Rugby.