February 23rd, 2009



England Women’s Head Coach Gary Street has made four changes to the starting line-up that will face Ireland at St. Mary’s RFC in Dublin on Friday February 27th, kick-off 630pm.

Street has called up Richmond’s Karen Jones into the pack, replacing Becky Essex who moves into the second row. Plymouth Albion’s Georgina Rozario replaces Amy Turner at scrum-half for her first six nations start and Worcester’s Gemma Sharples comes in for Lois Moulding who moves to the bench. Lichfield’s Vicki Jackson is also a new starter on the bench.

England are looking to bounce back from their narrow 16-15 defeat to Wales on February 14th in Cardiff, but at the same time strengthen their challenge for a fourth consecutive RBS 6 Nations title.

“We’ve just had a really productive training weekend with lots of reviews and player feedback, “said Street. “We have been really honest with ourselves and taken our defeat to Wales on board, but it’s now time to look forward and continue our Six Nations campaign. I have made a few positional changes to maximise our squad’s strengths and the players are chomping at the bit, and raring to go.”

England last played Ireland in December and won 19-8, with captain Catherine Spencer and Worcester’s Katherine Merchant scoring two late tries to secure the win.

Street added: “Ireland have had a good Six Nations so far, beating France for the first time in the opening game and then adding a win against Italy with a strong second-half performance. They’ll be buoyed by those wins, but our focus is on us and our game. The grand slam might have gone for us, but we are determined to win our fourth six nations title. Our hat is still in the ring for that.”

England

1 Rochelle Clark Blaydon Team Northumbria
2 Amy Garnett Saracens
3 Sophie Hemming Bristol
4 Rebecca Essex Richmond
5 Joanna McGilchrist Wasps
6 Karen Jones Richmond
7 Gemma Sharples Worcester
8 Catherine Spencer (C) Bristol
9 Georgina Rozario Plymouth Albion
10 Katy McLean (VC) Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
11 Fiona Pocock Richmond
12 Kimberley Oliver Bristol
13 Emily Scarratt Lichfield
14 Francesca Matthews Richmond
15 Victoria Massarella Saracens
Replacements:
16 Ollie Poore Lichfield
17 Claire Purdy Wasps
18 Natalie Binstead Wasps
19 Lois Moulding Lichfield
20 Amy Turner Richmond
21 Alice Richardson Richmond
22 Vicki Jackson Lichfield

Head Coach: Gary Street
Assistant Coach: Graham Smith

England Women RBS 6 Nations Fixtures:

Feb 7th England v Italy 13.30 London Welsh RFC
WON 69-13
Feb 14th Wales v England 13.00 Taffs Wells RFC, Cardiff
LOST 16-15
Feb 27th Ireland v England 18.30 St. Mary’s RFC, Dublin
March 15th England v France 13.30 London Welsh RFC
March 21st England v Scotland 13.30 London Welsh RFC

Ends…