England Women's Team named to Face Ireland 9/2/13

Rowena Burnfield returns for England to play Ireland this Saturday

Following last weekend’s 76-0 victory over Scotland in the tournament opener, there is a whole new front row for England with Rochelle Clark and Victoria Fleetwood coming off the bench and Bristol prop Sophie Hemming back in the match day squad. Richmond on form lock Rowena Burnfield is also back in the second row.

In the backs, Kay Wilson moves from the wing to fullback whilst Sally Tuson and La Toya Mason make the starting line-up. Richmond’s Francesca Matthew also returns to action after narrowly missing out on Sevens selection for last weekend’s World Series in Houston because of injury.

Street, whose side are defending Six Nations champions, said: “As always I want to rotate the squad and give players’ game time. We have brought in some real experience in the front row for Saturday’s game in Rochelle Clark and Sophie Hemming – who share 120 caps between them – whilst Sally Tuson has forced her way into the starting line-up with her powerful and try scoring efforts against Scotland. I am also pleased to welcome back Fran Matthews who had a superb autumn international series and is looking to get some game time under her belt.”

Despite England being without several star names for Saturday’s win over Scotland with several players in Sevens action in the World Series, the 2012 Grand Slam winners ran in a massive 12 tries with skipper Sarah Hunter, debutant Abigail Chamberlain, Ceri Large and Tuson scoring two tries each.

Street, however, knows Saturday’s match against Ireland will be a different proposition altogether. Ireland defeated Wales in their opening match of the series, and last season England edged a hard-fought 23-6 victory over their rivals.

Street said: “Ireland always raise their game against us so we know this is going to be one of our toughest games of the tournament. It is certainly up there as one of the big games of the championship. That said we will be treating it as just another game, our win over Scotland has given the whole squad a real confidence boost and hopefully if we meet our own expectations then the result will take care of itself.”

England

15        Kay Wilson (Bristol)

14        Francesca Matthews (Richmond)

13        Abigail            Chamberlain (Richmond)

12        Amber            Reed  (Bristol)

11        Sally Tuson (Bristol)

10        Ceri     Large  (Worcester)

9          La Toya Mason (Wasps) (VC)       

1          Rochelle        Clark   (Worcester)

2          Victoria           Fleetwood     (Lichfield)

3          Sophie Hemming (Bristol)

4          Rowena Burnfield (Richmond)

5          Tamara           Taylor (Lichfield)     

6          Joanna McGilchrist (Wasps)

7          Hannah         Gallagher      (Saracens)

8          Sarah Hunter (C)     (Lichfield)

Replacements:                                

16        Emma Croker            (Richmond)

17        Laura  Keates            (Worcester)

18        Roz     Crowley         (Lichfield)

19        Rebecca        Essex (Richmond)

20        Harriet            Millar-Mills     (Lichfield)

21        Georgina Gulliver (Lichfield)

22        Lauren Cattell (Saracens)

23        Fiona  Pocock           (Richmond)

England’s Six Nations Fixtures:

February 2, 2013 - WON - England 76  Scotland 0

February 9, 2013 - Ireland v England - KO 2pm, Ashbourne RFC

**February 23, 2013 - England v France - KO 720pm, Twickenham Stadium  Live on BBC

*March 9, 2013 - England v Italy - KO 1pm, Esher RFC – live on www.rfu.com/englandwomenlive

March 17, 2013 - Wales v England - KO 230pm, Aberavon RFC

*Tickets available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk

**Free entry to Twickenham Stadium following the men’s Six Nations match