Catherine Spencer will lead a team packed full of experience for the second time in a World Cup fresh off the back of lifting a fifth successive RBS 6 Nations crown.

Amy Garnett – a veteran of 86 caps and three World Cups – heads up the rest with Margaret Alphonsi, Charlotte Barras and Rachael Burford among those making their second appearance.

Street has also opted for youth in 20-year-old Emily Scarratt – who has scored 16 tries in 18 games – with England set to open their campaign against Ireland in Guildford on August 20.

England will then go on to face Kazakhstan and America before the semi-finals on September 1 and Street admitted he has the upmost confidence his side can deliver the goods.

“This squad is the culmination of three years of planning. I believe we have selected an experienced, skilful and adaptable squad who can do the job at the very highest level,” said Street.

“There are also some quality players who have not made the final cut, and who would almost certainly be in other international World Cup squads, so to come up with this squad has been a challenging and difficult task but one that we are confident with.

“Now the squad has been announced we can really start upping our momentum. The players are coming to the end of their rest periods, so will soon be working hard on their strength and conditioning, before our World Cup camps starts. This is a really exciting period.”

England squad for the Women’s Rugby World Cup:

Claire Allan (Richmond), Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens), Charlotte Barras (Saracens), Sarah Beale (Lichfield), Rachael Burford (Richmond), Rochelle Clark (Team Northumbria), Rosemarie Crowley (Lichfield), Rebecca Essex (Richmond), Heather Fisher (Worcester), Amy Garnett (Saracens), Sophie Hemming (Bristol), Sarah Hunter (Lichfield), Emma Layland (Richmond), La Toya Mason (Wasps), Joanna McGilchrist (Wasps), Katy McLean ( Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Katherine Merchant (Worcester), Amber Penrith (Worcester), Fiona Pocock (Richmond), Claire Purdy (Wasps), Alice Richardson (Richmond), Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), Catherine Spencer (Bristol), Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Amy Turner (Richmond), Danielle Waterman (Worcester)