England Women add Rachel Lund to squad for Super Series in Canada
Tuesday 23 June 2015 11:25, UK
Centre Rachel Lund has been added to England's squad for the Rugby Super Series in Canada which kicks off this weekend.
Lund, who can also play at full-back, has been drafted in for the games against the USA, New Zealand and Canada - between June 27-July 5 - in place of Bristol's Abbie Brown who has been ruled out through injury.
Lund, who played against France this season for England U20s will join Megan Jones and Lark Davies who are set to make their England debuts.
England head coach Simon Middleton said: “It is very disappointing to have to withdraw Abbie at this stage.
"She had a great weekend playing sevens and also showed a lot of potential during the Six Nations this season so this is a real shame for her. However, we are fortunate to have Rachel to call upon.
“Rachel was one of a handful of England U20s players who joined the England camp recently as we continue our ongoing development of players with one eye on the 2017 Rugby World Cup. Rachel was outstanding and did not look out of place at all so it is great to call her up for this exciting tour.”
Rugby World Cup winner Sarah Hunter will captain the squad as she returns to play in her first tournament since helping England to win the WRWC last August.
Hunter has been sidelined with a knee injury since the start of the year. Katy Mclean, who captained England during the Six Nations, is ruled out through injury.
Emily Scarratt, who scored a 16-point haul in the 21-9 Rugby World Cup final against Canada, also returns to XVs rugby for the first time this season having been involved in England’s sevens Olympic qualification campaign.
The centre/full-back has been named as vice-captain. Marlie Packer and Heather Fisher are also back for their first starts in ten months having been involved with England Sevens.
England will play the USA on June 27 in Calgary before taking on fierce rivals New Zealand on July 1 in Red Deer. England then take on Rugby World Cup runners-up Canada in the tournament finale on July 5 in Edmonton.
England squad: Bianca Blackburn (Worcester), Rowena Burnfield (Richmond), Rochelle Clark (Worcester), Amy Cokayne (Lichfield), Victoria Cornborough (Richmond), Lark Davies (Worcester), Heather Fisher (Thurrock), Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens), Hannah Gallagher (Saracens), Sarah Hunter (capt) (Lichfield), Megan Jones (Bristol), Laura Keates (Worcester), Ceri Large (Worcester), Justine Lucas (Lichfield), Katie Mason (Bristol), Alexandra Matthews (Richmond), Sarah McKenna (Saracens), Marlie Packer (Wasps), Fiona Pocock (Richmond), Amber Reed (Bristol), Leanne Riley (Saracens), Emily Scarratt (vice capt) (Lichfield), Abbie Scott (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Emilyt Scott (Thurrock), Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Lydia Thompson (Worcester), Kay Wilson (Thurrock), Rachel Lund (Worcester).
