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.
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