England Women's Head Coach Gary Street  today named his England Elite squad of 44 for the 2007/2008 season.

Street, in his first season in charge, has named an exciting squad which includes 12 newcomers. The 44 players will be selected to play for England or England A. Both teams will take on the USA in December while England will also look to defend their RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam title for a third year on the bounce in February.

Street said: "This is a very exciting, fresh squad of players that I am relishing working with over the season. We have a real mix of short term and long term potential, with one eye on the 2010 IRB Women's Rugby World Cup.

"In total there are 12 new faces in the squad. They're all showing great potential and have put their hands up over the summer, playing club rugby and most recently in England trials. Now they have to make the next step-up.

"The players will have their first chance to show what they can do when we play the US on December 12th (England A) and December 15th (England) at London Irish's Sunbury ground. These will be two tough international fixtures that will also help us select our Six Nations squad."

There are three notable exclusions from the squad. England captain Sue Day has retired after an illustrious rugby career which has included RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam titles and three Rugby World Cups.

England fly-half Karen Andrew has also hung up her international rugby boots after six seasons of running out for the red roses as has wing Emily Cook, who amassed 33 caps after making her international debut in 1999.

Street added: "I would like to thank Sue, Karen and Emily for their commitment and effort during the several years they have been involved in international rugby. They have all been outstanding players for England and ambassadors for the game. We all wish them all the best for the future."

Richmond duo Karen Jones and Alice Richardson have also been welcomed back into the squad after a year out.

ENGLAND WOMEN'S ELITE SQUAD 2007/2008

Claire Allen                   Centre      Saracens
Margaret Alphonsi         Flanker   Saracens
*Sara Anastasi              Lock        Richmond    
Charlotte Bar                Full-back   Saracens   
Sarah Beale                  No. 8/lock       Leos   
Natalie Binstead            Lock  Wasps
Rachael Burford            Centre   Saracens
Rochelle Clark               Prop   Henley
Rosemarie Crowley       Prop   Lichfield
Samantha Dale              Hooker   Worcester
Becky Essex                 Second & back-row  Richmond
Amy Garnett                 Hooker   Saracens
Sophie Hemming           Prop   Clifton
Sarah Hunter                 Back-row   Lichfield
*Vicki Jackson             Full-back/centre       Lichfield
*Samantha Jamieson      Hooker   Darlington Mowden Sharks
Karen Jones                  Back-row   Richmond
Emma Layland              Hooker   Richmond
*Tina Lee                     Centre   Clifton
Jane Leonard                Back-row        Wasps/Army
Vicky Massarella          Full-back/centre      Saracens
*Fran Matthews           Centre                     Richmond
*Joanna McGilchrist      Lock   Wasps
Katy McLean               Fly-half   Darlington Mowden Sharks
Katherine Merchant     Wing   Worcester
Amber Penrith             Wing   Cardiff Quins
Fiona Pocock              Wing   Richmond
*Helen Price                Wing   Waterloo
*Claire Purdy               Prop   Wasps
Shelley Rae                  Fly-half   Wasps
Alice Richardson          Fly-half   Richmond
Georgina Roberts         Centre   Darlington Mowden Sharks
Georgina Rozario         Scrum-half   Plymouth Albion
*Gemma Sharples        Flanker Worcester
*Heidi Shelburg            No.8   Wasps
Harriet Slynn                Scrum-half   Richmond
*Katherine Smith          Prop   Richmond
Catherine Spencer        No.8   Worcester
Michaela Staniford       Centre   Wasps
*Alexandra Stevens      Lock  Lichfield
Katy Storie                  Prop   Blaydon
Tamara Taylor              Lock     Darlington Mowden Sharks
Amy Turner                 Scrum-half   Richmond
Danielle Waterman       Wing   Clifton

*new England Elite Squad member