England side to take on Black Ferns named

Katy McLean will captain an experienced England side in Friday nights three-test series opener against World Champions New Zealand.

A number of faces return for this game from the side who recently beat France, including Kat Merchant, Emily Scarratt, Marlie Packer and Michaela Staniford who all start having been rested for that clash.

Their return gives Englands backline a strong appearances as they join Alice Richardson and Nolli Waterman outside McLean with all of those players having featured at the 2010 World Cup.Centre Claire Allan, who returned this year after a long term injury lay-off has been ruled out of the series through injury and will not be replaced in the squad to take on New Zealand three times in the coming weeks.

In the pack Marlie Packer, Heather Fisher and Sarah Hunter make-up what England coach Gary Street hopes will be an explosive and powerful backrow unit.

On the bench, Bristol prop Sophie Hemming returns to action and she shares over 150 caps with the likes of Emma Croker, who recently returned after having ababy, Georgina Gulliver and Rosemarie Crowley among others.

Sisters Alex and Fran Matthews, who have never played international XVs together before, are also named. Jo Watmore, who won her first cap against France with a well taken try off the bench, is also among the replacements.

Street said: The great thing about the England programme is that we have got great strength and depth in our squad now and you can see that from our bench, added Street. For us it is invaluable when you are taking on a side as good as New Zealand that you can bring on players with this sort of experience.

Street added: Playing New Zealand over this series last year was definitely the highlight of our season. To try and be the best we have to play the best regularly, and even though we think we have moved on as a squad from 12 months ago, we know that the Black Ferns will be more motivated than ever to come over here and reverse that result.

England won the series last time out with two from two in the first couple of tests with New Zealand salvaging a draw in the final game.

England side to play New Zealand, Friday 23rd November, Esher RFC 7.30pm

15 Danielle Waterman (Worcester)14 Katherine Merchant (Worcester)13 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield)12 Alice Richardson (Richmond)11 Michaela Staniford (Wasps)10 Katy McLean (C) (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)9 Natasha Hunt (Lichfield)1 Rochelle Clark (Worcester)2 Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield)3 Laura Keates (Worcester)4 Tamara Taylor (Lichfield)5 Rowena Burnfield (Richmond)6 Heather Fisher (Worcester)7 Marlie Packer (Bristol)8 Sarah Hunter (VC) (Lichfield)

Replacements:16 Emma Croker (Richmond)17 Rosemarie Crowley (Lichfield)18 Sophie Hemming (Bristol)19 Emily Braund (Lichfield)20 Alex Matthews (Richmond)21 Georgina Gulliver (Lichfield)22 Fran Matthews (Richmond)23 Jo Watmore (Worcester)