England Sevens captain Abigail Chamberlain

Chamberlain looks for progress in China

England finished fourth in Sao Paulo in March and now head into the penultimate round of the series fifth in the World standings. They also finished fifth in Dubai and sixth in Atlanta.

“I think the way we played in Brazil and ultimately the result we finished with is testament to what a bit of time together as a squad can do,” said Chamberlain. “We learnt so much about each other and how we wanted to play in such a short period of time. Now, we are building on the lessons we learned in Atlanta and Brazil and we want to keep progressing and getting even better results.”

England, however, once again face a tough pool with Brazilian champions Australia, Ireland and Fiji all to come on day one.

“Tough pools are a given these days,” added Chamberlain. “There are so many teams playing exceptional rugby there are no easy games. We will go into each match knowing we must play to our absolute potential if we want to come out on top.”

England Women's Sevens Head Coach Simon Middleton has made three changes to this team with Rachael Burford, Marlie Packer and Megan Ellery called into the squad.

Wasps' Packer will make her first start in a Sevens shirt for England since the Rugby World Cup Sevens in June last year whilst both Ellery and Burford last played in the opening leg of the series in Dubai where England finished fifth.

“I get excited every time I see our team. There are so many fantastic players fighting for only 12 spots, with absolutely no guarantees.  It’s what makes every tournament so special, knowing you worked so hard for the shirt.   Marlie and Rachael are both experienced players who will be great assets to the team. Rachael was a stand out player in the Six Nations, Marlie brings with her a dynamism that threatens any team she comes up against and Megan is a very exciting young talent coming through.”

England

Natasha Brennan (Richmond)

Rachael Burford (Thurrock) VC

Abigail Chamberlain (Richmond) C

Megan Ellery (Durham University, Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

Heather Fisher (Worcester)

Francesca Matthews (Richmond)

Sarah McKenna (Saracens)

Marlie Packer (Wasps)

Emily Scott (Thurrock)

Michaela Staniford (Wasps)

Danielle Waterman (Bristol)

Amy Wilson-Hardy(Bristol)

England playing schedule:

Saturday, April 5

England v Fiji, KO 4:50am BST

England v Ireland, KO 7:34am BST

England v Australia, KO 9:54am BST

Sunday, April 6

Knock out stages TBC

England Women Sevens through to China World Series Quarter-finals

England's Natasha Brennan

England Women Sevens booked their place in the quarter-finals of the World Series in Guangzhou, China today (Saturday) with wins over Series leaders Australia and Ireland.

England will now play 2013 Rugby World Cup finalists Canada in the knock out stages on Sunday morning, and England and Canada will be joined by New Zealand, Australia, France, Russia, Fiji and Spain in the final eight.

Simon Middleton’s side, who currently sit fifth in the World Series title race, gave themselves an uphill challenge initially, losing to series newcomers Fiji. The Southern Hemisphere side were the surprise package of the day, also beating Ireland. Asinate Ufia Savu and Luisa Basei Tisolo ran in three tries to England’s two in the 15-12 victory.

England bounced back in their second encounter of the day, taking a narrow 21-19 win over Ireland with Marlie Packer, Emily Scott and Heather Fisher all running in tries. Scott also added three conversions.

In the final match on day one, England took on hot favourites Australia, who this season have picked up tournament wins in Dubai and Brazil. England made an impressive start with Rachael Burford and Fisher running in early tries but the loss of skipper Abigail Chamberlain to the sin-bin saw Australia claw a try back before half-time courtesy of Alicia Quirk, making the score 12-7.

The Wallabies then had the upper-hand after the restart with Emilee Cherry adding a converted try and making the score 12-12. A penalty for Saracens’ Sarah McKenna proved decisive though as her successful kick at goal in the last minute of play handed England the 15-12 victory.

Middleton said: “I take my hat off to the players as they managed to turn the day around – we certainly were not at our best in the first two games.

“Against Fiji we were very lethargic and also naïve at the end, although we showed good character to come back from 10-0 down early in the game.

“Similarly against Ireland, whilst we had a fantastic start and played with lots of intent we lost momentum due to indiscipline. Fair play to the Irish though as they played to the end and came back at us in the second-half.

“The players did some honest soul searching between games two and three and they got themselves back on track. They showed that in terms of composure and execution throughout the game against Australia. They played with real intent and commitment.

“Next up is Canada on Sunday and we know how dangerous they can be - we saw that in our 3/4th place play-off against them in Brazil last month.  We have to be at our best tomorrow and if we are, we have a good chance of making the semi-final.”

England

Natasha Brennan (Richmond)

Rachael Burford (Thurrock) VC

Abigail Chamberlain (Richmond) C

Megan Ellery (Durham University, Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

Heather Fisher (Worcester)

Francesca Matthews (Richmond)

Sarah McKenna (Saracens)

Marlie Packer (Wasps)

Emily Scott (Thurrock)

Michaela Staniford (Wasps)

Danielle Waterman (Bristol)

Amy Wilson-Hardy(Bristol)

England playing schedule:

Saturday, April 5

England 12 Fiji 15

Tries: McKenna, Brennan

Conversions: McKenna

England 21 Ireland 19

Tries: Packer, Scott, Fisher,

Conversions: Scott (3)

England 15 Australia 12

Tries: Burford, Fisher,

Conversions: McKenna

Penalty: McKenna

Sunday, April 6

Quarter-Finals

England v Canada, KO 4:06am BST