Big guns back for England

England womens rugby head coach Gary Street has recalled eight of his strongest players for the upcoming three test series with New Zealand with sweeping changes to the squad which lost two games in France recently.

In all there are 16 players who were involved in last years Womens Rugby World Cup campaign, where the same two teams contested the final.

Street has welcomed back Margaret Alphonsi (pictured), Rebecca Essex, Sophie Hemming, Katy McLean, Danielle Waterman, Alice Richardson and Claire Purdy to the squad while Hannah Gallagher and Alexandra Matthews, are also in the squad having got their first caps in France last week.

Rachael Burford is also back in a squad that is still minus the likes of Heather Fisher and Claire Allan through injury.

England go into the series on the back of two defeats against France, though the teams to play New Zealand will be far less inexperienced than the side who have took to the field in recent weeks with Street using those games to blood new players and identify those ready to take part in a full international programme of action in the coming year.

Its the first meeting between England and New Zealand since the World Cup final 14 months ago where the Black Ferns lifted their third title in a row, winning 13-10.

Since the World CUp England have won a Six Nations and Nations Cup campaign while New Zealand have not played an international test match since being crowned world champions in 2010. Street, however, is not expecting anything less that another world class performance from the Black Ferns.

New Zealands international record is second to none, they always turn up and I am not expecting anything less for this series, added Street. Like us they too have a strong world cup contingent in their squad as well as some young players, which is really going to set up this series to be a thriller.

The two teams will meet first at Twickenham Stadium on November 26th, kick off 5pm following the Australia versus Barbarians clash. The womens rugby giants will then meet again on November 29thand December 3rdat Esher RFC.

Tickets for the game at Twickenham on November 26th are available fromTicketmaster.co.ukand group booking are available from the RFU by calling 0871 22 22 017, option 6. Prices range from 65 to 35. Junior tickets cost just 15.

Tickets for the international tests at Esher RFC on November 29th and December 3rd will be available on the gate and cost 10 for adults and 5 for juniors. They can also be purchased in advance atwww.esherrugby.com

England Squad:Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens)

Rachael Burford (Richmond)

Rowena Burnfield (Richmond)

Rochelle Clark (Worcester)

Rebecca Essex(Richmond)

Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield)

Hannah Gallagher (Saracens)

Sophie Hemming (Bristol)

Natasha Hunt (Lichfield)

Sarah Hunter (Lichfield)

Laura Keates (Worcester)

La Toya Mason (Wasps)

Alexandra Matthews (Richmond)

Katy McLean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

Katherine Merchant (Worcester)

Kimberley Oliver (Bristol)

Marlie Packer (Bristol)

Claire Purdy(Wasps)

Alice Richardson (Richmond)

Georgina Roberts (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

Emily Scarratt (Lichfield)

Michaela Staniford (Wasps)

Amy Turner (Richmond)

Tamara Taylor(Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

Danielle Waterman (Worcester)

Kay Wilson (Bristol)