SHE may be in her first season of top-flight rugby but Catherine Spencer is an integral part of the England Women's side vying for back-to-back Grand Slam titles.

The Worcester number eight scored one of 10 tries in the 60-0 demolition of Scotland in England's opening game and has now set her sights on dishing out more of the same when the Italian debutants visit Twickenham on Saturday.

That match takes place straight after the men's version and Spencer is the only Worcester representative in either game.

"It's the first year the Italians have been in the competition so that's really exciting," said the 26-year-old. "It is great for them to be playing at Twickenham in only their second game.

"They are an unknown quantity but I think we can go into the game feeling confident."

That confidence is borne out of a great start to the campaign by a new-look side. After last year's World Cup , a number of senior players stepped down from the international scene including Worcester's own Nicola Crawford and Kim Shaylor.

Another Sixways player, scrum-half Jo Yapp, has taken time out to go travelling but England seem to be managing without them and a number of other key players.

"It was a great start considering the number of new caps," said Spencer. "We were able to try out a few things as well.

"A few people had made the World Cup their target before retiring. We had a couple of injuries as well so we had eight new caps, which is brilliant.

"There were a few older heads as well and it was a good mix of youth and experience."

Spencer won her first cap against Wales in 2004 and will take her tally to 24 against the Italians.

Saturday was the first time she had appeared for England as a Worcester player, having joined from Folkestone at the start of this season. Spencer feels she is benefiting from the Sixways experience and believes there is plenty of potential in the team.

"I am really enjoying it," she said. "It's nice to play in the Premiership. Worcester is a nice club with great facilities and a great set-up.

"We are mid-table at the moment but there are a lot of youngsters stepping up."

Spencer - who works as an office manager at a leisure centre in Yate, near Bristol - was nominated for the BBC South East Women's Sports Personality of the Year award in 2006 after impressing at the World Cup.

She believes that helped to put women's rugby on the map and is hoping a successful Six Nations tournament will raise the profile further.

England beat France on their way to the World Cup final and Spencer knows they will be the strongest challengers for this crown.

"I think France is going to be a big game," she said. "They are going to be looking for revenge for the World Cup and they are going to be strong opposition.

"Ireland are an improving side and we finish off with Wales which could be a tournament decider."