England Women may have swept all before them in the 2012 RBS 6 Nations, winning the Grand Slam and a seventh successive title but coach Graham Smith is wary of the Italians’ challenge, despite getting off to a flyer in their opening match against Spain – scoring 11 tries in a 61-0 win.

For the encounter in Rovereto, Northern Italy, Smith has decided to bring in a new front row of Rosemarie Crowley, Vicky Fleetwood and Laura Keates.

Lock Rowena Burnfield and flanker Gemma Sharples also come in while Sevens stars Katherine Merchant and Emily Scarratt, fresh from victory in the London Sevens, take up places on the bench.

As well as Reed, lock Fiona Fletcher could also make her debut as she is named among the replacements.

With just one cap to her name, 18-year-old fly-half Lauren Cattell is making her first run-on debut but Smith believes she is more than capable of handling the big occasion.

“This will be a big game for Lauren Cattell starting at fly-half and Amber Reed in the centre,” said Smith.

“Despite her young years, Lauren has taken everything in her stride and she certainly has the potential to be a very good player.

“Amber has also shown herself to be big and powerful and her running game and distribution are real positives.

“Teaming up with Sally Tuson in the centres I think they have the potential to be quite a combination.”

England

15 Danielle Waterman
14 Lydia Thompson
13 Sally Tuson
12 Amber Reed
11 Ruth Laybourn
10 Lauren Cattell
9 George Rozario
1 Rosemarie Crowley
2 Vicky Fleetwood
3 Laura Keates
4 Tamara Taylor
5 Rowena Burnfield
6 Sarah Hunter (C)
7 Gemma Sharples
8 Harriet Millar Mills

Replacements

16 Emma Croker
17 Rochelle Clark
18 Kate Newton
19 Emily Braund
20 Fiona Fletcher
21 Fiona Davidson
22 Kim Oliver
23 Katherine Merchant
24 Emily Scarratt
25 Ceri Large