England Women's Rochelle Clark set to equal Jason Leonard's cap record
Sunday 22 January 2017 18:29, UK
England Women's Rochelle Clark could move one step closer to achieving history when England face France on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD and Sky Sports Mix from 7.30pm.
The Worcester Valkyries prop has been named on the bench for the clash at the Twickenham Stoop and should she feature she will equal Jason Leonard's record of 114 international appearances.
Speaking to Sportswomen about the feat, Clark said: "Jason Leonard has been an idol of mine from when I started playing rugby; I wanted to be like him.
"To even be anywhere near his record is absolutely amazing. He is a nice guy and he has been very supportive. He knows I am coming for him so it will be awesome when I hopefully achieve it. I will be very proud."
Since making her debut in 2003, Clark has gone on to win seven Six Nations titles and witness a number of changes to the women's game. However the highlight of her career came in 2014 when the Red Roses lifted the coveted Women's Rugby World Cup trophy.
"It was a different type of rugby since I started and the professionalism now has just changed and evolved so much," she said. "It has been amazing to be part of that era going from a quite unprofessional stage to being really professional.
"For me it was two times unlucky, third time lucky and that was all I have been driven for since I started playing rugby was to then be part of a World Cup-winning side. That was definitely the best day of my life."
Reaching her idol's target is not the end of it for Clark. She now has her Worcester coach Donna Kennedy's all-time women's cap record of 115 in her sights.
Live Women's Rugby Union
"I couldn't give it up to a nicer person," said record-holder Kennedy. "Rocky has done fantastic in her career and records are there to be broken. Giving it up to Rocky is probably the best person I can give it up to."
Simon Middleton's side will be without Emily Scarratt for the clash, the 28-year old missing out through concussion while Amber Reed is also unavailable due to an ankle injury.
The Red Roses boast a match-day 23 totalling 1,000 international caps with Olympians Claire Allan, Natasha Hunt, Katy Mclean and Danielle Waterman also named among the starting line-up.
The two nations have faced each other twice already this year, winning one game each. However since the 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup, France have the upper hand over their opponents, securing three wins to one.
England Women: 15 Danielle Waterman, 14 Kay Wilson, 13 Claire Allan, 12 Rachael Burford, 11 Fiona Pocock, 10 Katy Mclean, 9 Natasha Hunt; 1, Vickii Cornborough, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Laura Keates, 4 Tamara Taylor, 5 Emily Braund, 6 Alex Matthews, 7 Marlie Packer, 8 Sarah Hunter.
Replacements: 16 Vicky Fleetwood, 17 Rochelle Clark, 18 Sarah Bern, 19 Harriet Millar- Mills, 20 Izzy Noel-Smith, 21 La Toya Mason, 22 Emily Scott, 23 Ceri Large.
France Women: 15 Caroline Landagnous, 14 Camille Grassineau, 13 Rose Thomas, 12 Lucille Godiveau, 11 Elodie Guiglion, 10 Christelle Le Duff, 9 Yanna Rivoalen; 1 Lise Arricastre, 2 Manon Bigot, 3 Patricia Carricaburu, 4 Celine Ferer, 5 Manon Andre, 6 Pauline Rayssac, 7 Laetitia Grand, 8 Safi N'diaye.
Replacements: 16 Gaelle Mignot, 17 Annaelle Deshayes, 18 Lenaig Corson, 19 Gaelle Hermet, 20 Romane Menager, 21 Camille Cabalou, 22 Carla Neisen, 23 Julie Duval
Watch England v France live on Sky Sports 1 HD and Sky Sports Mix on Wednesday from 7.30pm. Or watch for £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV
