England Women face France in Martigues, live on Sky Sports
Saturday 7 November 2015 22:32, UK
England Women head coach Simon Middleton has named his squad for Saturday's first autumn international against France at Le Stade Francis Turcan in Martigues, live on Sky Sports 4 HD (Red Button) at 8pm.
World Cup winner Sarah Hunter will captain the side with an experienced forward pack, complemented by new talent throughout the backs.
Rochelle Clarke, Ceri Large, Tamara Taylor, Laura Keates and Marlie Packer, who were also part of last year's successful World Cup campaign, will feature in the starting XV. Amy Cokayne of Lichfield starts at hooker alongside Keates and Clarke in the front row.
Saracens wing Charlotte Clapp will secure her first cap in the white shirt and will play alongside Katie Mason of Bristol on the opposite wing.
Darlington Mowden Park trio Tamara Taylor, Abbie Scott and Latoya Mason are named in the starting line-up, while fellow-club mate Ruth Laybourn is selected on the bench.
Commenting on his line-up, Middleton said: "The forwards are experienced so I'm expecting them to step up in these autumn internationals against two sides with very good packs. There is definitely some pressure to perform in that area.
"France are very good at set piece. They have a strong line-out and driving maul, and have some strong ball carriers. It will be a very physical game. They have the capacity to play up front but also with a bit more width out back.
"More than anything we are concentrating on ourselves. France are very similar to us in that they have a sevens team in the Olympics so a lot of their backs will be absent which means naturally they'll look to pressure us up front, but we want to play our game. One that's between backs and forwards, dynamic in the tight and with movement and pace in the backs which should produce some attacking and running rugby."
Following Saturday's fixture, England will return home to face Ireland at The Stoop on Saturday, November 14.
England Women: 15 Sarah Mckenna, 14 Katie Mason, 13 Lauren Cattell, 12 Ceri Large, 11 Charlotte Clapp, 10 Emily Scott, 9 Leanne Riley; 1 Rochelle Clarke, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Laura Keates, 4 Tamara Taylor, 5 Abbie Scott, 6 Hannah Gallagher, 7 Marlie Packer, 8 Sarah Hunter (C)
Replacements: 16 Vickii Cornborough, 17 Emma Croker, 18 Justine Lucas, 19 Harriet Millar-Mills, 20 Izzy Noel-Smith, 21 La toya Mason, 22 Rachel Lund, 23 Ruth Laybourn.
Watch England Women take on France, 8pm, Sat, Sky Sports 4 - on the Red Button
