England Women Rugby World Cup squad Announced

 RFU Press Office

England Women’s head coach Geoff Richards announced his squad of 26 players to take on the world in this year’s IRB Rugby World Cup in Canada, which gets underway on August 29th in Edmonton.

Richards, whose side go into the tournament as Six Nations Grand Slam Champions, believes he has named a squad capable of winning the illustrious trophy for the first time since 1994. England are ranked second for the tournament, behind current World Champions New Zealand’s Black Ferns.

“We can win the World Cup,” said Richards. “This is a very talented squad and there are no weaknesses in any area. We are strong in all departments with size and strength up front. We have a very quick and skilful backrow and our backs have certainly proved themselves to be capable of doing the job following a fantastic Six Nations campaign. We have certainly got a world class back three. We have got the squad to win and there is certainly a growing belief from the players that perhaps this will be our time.”

Worcester scrum-half Joanne Yapp will lead the side. The likes of Saracens’ Helen Clayton, Worcester’s Nicola Crawford and Wasps’ Vanessa Huxford will add vital experience with over 200 caps between them while youngsters such as Folkestone’s Catherine Spencer and Clifton’s Kim Oliver will add flare and excitement to the mix. Clifton’s Katy Storie, who was the England A captain this season, and Henley’s Rachel Burford could also both earn their first caps.

Richards added: “It was a very tough process and I had to make some very difficult decisions to choose the 26 players. There are some extremely good players who have been left out of the squad but that only emphasizes the strength we have in English women’s rugby.

“I am very happy that we are in this position ahead of going to Canada. We know we have got strength in depth in all areas and all 26 players will make valuable contributions during our world cup campaign. We are all excited about what lies ahead and all the coaching team are looking forward to working with the players to ensure they will be at their very best for our first game on August 31st. “

After finishing as runners-up to the Black Ferns in the 2002 Rugby World Cup in Barcelona England will be looking to go one better, though their world cup campaign will kick-off with a tough clash against the powerful US Eagles on the 31st August at Ellerslie Rugby Park. England will then face South Africa and France before the knock-out stages commence.

England World Cup Squad

1 Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens) 2 Karen Andrew (Saracens) 3 Charlotte Barras (Lichfield) 4 Shannon Baker (Richmond) 5 Rachel Burford (Henley) 6 Rochelle Clarke (Henley) 7 Helen Clayton (Saracens) 8 Nicola Crawford (Worcester) 9 Susan Day (Wasps) 10 Amy Garnett (Saracens) 11 Vanessa Gray (Wasps) 12 Vanessa Huxford (Wasps) 13 Jennifer Lyne (Richmond) 14 Kimberley Oliver (Clifton) 15 Shelley Rae (Wasps) 16 Selena Rudge (Wasps) 17 Kimberley Shaylor (Worcester) 18 Catherine Spencer (Folkestone) 19 Michaela Staniford (Henley) 20 Georgia Stevens (Clifton) 21 Katy Storie (Clifton) 22 Jennifer Sutton (Richmond) 23 Tamara Taylor (Thirsk) 24 Amy Turner (Wasps) 25 Danielle Waterman (Henley) and 26 Joanna Yapp (Captain) (Worcester)

Captain Joanna Yapp

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