WORCESTER'S Claire Allan will make her first start for England 'A' on Saturday when Amanda Bennett's side take on the Nomads at Henley RFC (3pm).

The 20-year-old full-back is not a member of the England elite 44 squad but has worked her way up the ladder from the England Women's students team.

Head coach Bennett said: "This will be the biggest game of Claire's international career so far. She has come off the bench for England 'A' in the past, but has never started.

"As a player who has jumped up the ranks, this is going to be a massive game for her but I am sure she will hold her own."

Also in the starting 15 are Worcester team-mates Rebecca Essex, Lois Moulding and Amber Penrith, while Alice Richardson begins on the bench.

Worcester duo Joanne Yapp and Nicola Crawford retain their places in the England side to face Scotland at Murrayfield.

Meanwhile, Leeds Tykes have bolstered their squad ahead of Friday night's crucial Premiership clash against Worcester Warriors at Headingley Carnegie with the signing of Rotherham captain Lee Blackett.

The 24-year-old will move to Leeds on loan until the end of the current season with prop James Isaacson going in the other direction.

Tykes director of rugby Phil Davies said: "Lee is a player we have been monitoring for a number of months.

"We have been hit badly by injuries to our back-line in particular and the capture of Lee added to our previous signing of Andy Craig will help alleviate some of those problems.

"At present we only have 20 players available for selection for Friday night's game which is obviously a concern."