Team News: England V Ireland
England and Ireland have named their sides for Saturday's women's 6 Nations final game at Esher (KO 2pm) In the deciding game of this year's 6 Nations England have brought in Kat Merchant (pictured) and Kim Oliver to their backline while Ireland have restored Gillian Bourke to the number 2 shirt. For England, there are no changes up front with Oliver and Merchant (pictured) come in to start in two personnel switches in the backs while Emily Scarratt moves to fullback and Natahsa Hunt moves to scrum-half. England will secure a Grand Slam with a win on Saturday while Ireland are targeting their first ever Triple Crown while they could still win the title if they defeat England and score 24 points or more.Merchant, who has scored 37 tries in 43 appearances for England takes over on the wing in place of Micheala Staniford while Oliver steps into the centre for Scarratt.
Published by Scrum Queens, March 14th, 2012
3 minute read
Street said: Kat gives us some great experience in the backline and she is a potent attacking player and that could be vital on Saturday in what I am expecting to be a very close game.
I have made a few tactical tweaks in the backline which will give us some new attacking options whilst I believe it will also strengthen our game for this vital match. Our pack really set the marker against France last weekend, producing outstanding ball with huge physicality and we need them to replicate that against Ireland. This has been Irelands best ever Six Nations season. They came close to beating France away and have scored a lot of points. This is the first time they have been in the running to win the Six Nations championship and they have a real fighting chance. They will be really up for it and we will be taking nothing for granted. They have got great pace out-wide, a good set-piece and Niamh Briggs kicking game is impressive.
Irish coach Philip Doyle said We have been very lucky this tournament, we havent had to make too many changes and the depth in the squad is very strong.We are very realistic in our outlook and firmly believe we have closed the gap to put in a significant challenge on Saturday.
Tickets for the England versus Ireland game can be purchased on the day priced 10 for adults, 5 for Under 16s. Rugby fans can also watch the match live on www.rfu.com/englandwomenlive.com.Ireland:Ashleigh Baxter, Niamh Kavanagh, Niamh Briggs, Grace Davitt, Alison Miller, Lynne Cantwell, Amy Davis, Fiona Coghlan, Gillian Bourke, Ailis Egan, Sophie Spence, Marie Louise Reilly, Laura Guest, Claire Molloy, Joy NevilleReplacements:Paula Fitzpatrick, Ruth O'Reilly, Siobhan Fleming, Heather O'Brien, Larissa Muldoon, Shannon Houston, Jennifer Murphy (Exile)
England:Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), Kat Merchant (Worcester), Rachael Burford (Richmond), Kimberley Oliver (Bristol), Kay Wilson (Bristol), Katy Mclean (C) (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Natasha Hunt (Lichfield), Laura Keates (Worcester), Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield), Sophie Hemming (Bristol), Rowena Burnfield (Richmond), Tamara Taylor(Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Marlie Packer (Bristol), Margaret Alphonsi (VC) (Saracens), SarahHunter (Lichfield)Replacements:Amy Turner (Richmond), Rochelle Clark (Worcester), Rebecca Essex(Richmond), Hannah Gallagher (Saracens), La Toya Mason (Wasps), Ceri Large (Worcester), Michaela Staniford (Wasps)