FOUR Worcester players have been named in England’s 23-strong women’s squad for their Six Nations opener in Scotland on Friday (6pm).

Prop Rochelle Clark, who has made 105 appearances for her country, and 42-cap centre Ceri Large will start the curtain-raiser at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld.

Uncapped second row Courtney Gill and eight-cap Bianca Blackburn are on the replacements bench.

Another Worcester player, Lark Davies, who has one cap, will travel with England’s squad as a reserve.

Many of the players in the line-up gained valuable international experience last year, while four potential new caps on the bench.

Bristol back row Izzy Noel-Smith, who grew up in Herefordshire, scored the winning try against Ireland in the autumn internationals in November.

Lead coach Scott Bemand, a former Bath and Luctonians player, is pleased with the squad.

He said: “We are still a young side, but with the likes of Rochelle Clark, who has 105 England caps, in the squad we can be excited that there is a good balance of experience and exciting new names.

“We believe we have the best possible group to take us into a seven-week competition, having just come out of four good days in camp.

“The Scottish squad have been working hard and training together on a regular basis and so we should not underestimate them as a team.”

Bemand added: “The girls seeking to gain their first cap have performed consistently in the Premiership this season and earned their right to be in the squad.”

England match-day 23 to face Scotland:

15. Katie Mason (Bristol, 5 caps).

14. Ruth Laybourn (Darlington Mowden Park, 12 caps).

13. Lauren Cattell (Saracens, 13 caps).

12. Ceri Large (Worcester, 42 caps).

11. Lotte Clapp (Saracens, 2 caps).

10. Amber Reed (Bristol, 24 caps).

9. La Toya Mason (Darlington Mowden Park, 49 caps).

1. Rochelle Clark (Worcester, 105 caps).

2. Amy Cokayne (Lichfield, 8 caps).

3. Vickii Cornborough (Richmond, 9 caps).

4. Abbie Scott (Darlington Mowden Park, 10 caps).

5. Emily Braund (Lichfield, 18 caps).

6. Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield, 26 caps).

7. Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol, 12 caps).

8. Sarah Hunter (Bristol, 73 caps).

Replacements:

16. Emma Croker (Richmond, 58 caps).

17. Heather Kerr (Darlington Mowden Park, 2 caps).

18. Bee Dawson (Wasps, uncapped).

19. Courtney Gill (Worcester, uncapped).

20. Poppy Cleall (Saracens, uncapped).

21. Bianca Blackburn (Worcester, 8 caps).

22. Lucy Demaine (Bristol, uncapped).

23. Leanne Riley (Richmond, 5 caps).

Other:

Lark Davies (Worcester, 1 cap) will travel as a reserve.