Alphonsi returns to strong England squad

Alphonsi makes her England return this Autumn

There’s just one uncapped player in the squad as head coach Gary Street names a strong, experienced group for the start of the World Cup season.

Bristol’s Sasha Acheson is the uncapped player in the experienced squad which welcomes back backrow players Maggie Alphonsi and Hannah Gallagher from injury. Alphonsi returns after 20 months of absence and she has been in excellent form for Saracens in recent months.

Injury however has ruled out a number of players including Danielle Waterman, Heather Fisher, Laura Keates, Alex Matthews, Fran Matthews, Georgina Gulliver, Sally Tuson and Jo McGilchrist while Alice Richardson and Jo Watmore remain out of contention followingtheir omissionfor disciplinary reasons from the EPS recently.

England will play France at Twickenham Stadium on November 9th immediately after the England Men’s QBE International against Argentina. They also play Canada at the Twickenham Stoop on Wednesday November 13.

Street said: “This is an exciting squad and the absolute strongest squad I had available which is so important as we focus on this World Cup season. We have got some good preparation time ahead of these fixtures which will stand us in good stead and I am know by the time we play France the players and management team will be eager to kick off our international season with a bang.

“It is also exciting to welcome back our flanker partnership of Maggie Alphonsi and Hannah Gallagher. To welcome back a player of Maggie’s experience is always a tremendous boost and with Hannah’s return it just adds to the quality of our backrow line-up.”

England will head in the Autumn International Series after a gruelling 2012/2013 season. Street’s side nilled the World Champions New Zealand in a Series whitewash just over a year ago but the Black Ferns reversed that result on New Zealand soil in July. England also finished third in the 2013 Six Nations.

England Squad

Sasha Acheson (Bristol)Claire Allan (Richmond)Marggie Alphonsi (Saracens)Emily  Braund (Lichfield)Rachael Burford  (Thurrock)Rowena Burnfield (Richmond)Rochelle Clark  (Worcester)Emma Croker  (Richmond)Becky Essex (Richmond)Vicky  Fleetwood (Lichfield)Hannah Gallaghe (Saracens)Sophie Hemming (Bristol)Natasha Hunt   (Lichfield)Sarah Hunter  (Lichfield)Ceri Large  (Worcester)Ruth   Laybourn  (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)La Toya Mason (Wasps)Katy    Mclean  (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)Katherine      Merchant       (Worcester)Marlie Packer (Wasps)Claire Purdy (Wasps)Amber Reed  (Bristol)Emily  Scarratt (Lichfield)Michaela Staniford (Wasps)Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)Kay Wilson (Bristol)

England Autumn International Series:

Nov 9, England v France, Twickenham Stadium, KO 5.05pm, live on Sky Sports 2.Free entry to Twickenham Stadium following England Men’s QBE International

Nov 13, England v Canada, The Harlequins Stoop, KO 7pm.Tickets are available via www.ticketmaster.co.uk (0844 847 2492) and www.quins.co.uk (0208 410 6000). Tickets are priced at £10 for adults and £5 for Under 16s.