England and Black Ferns name semi sides

There are changes to both teams from the sides who contested the final pool games. The Black Ferns take on France in the first semi-final while England face Australia later in the evening. Both matches take place at The Stoop in Twickenham.

Having rotated his squad throughout the three pool games,England coach Gary Streethas named close to his strongest lineup for the semi-final with Rachel Burford, Kat Merchant and Sophie Hemming the players probably most unlucky not to be in the starting team.

Burford has been a very solid presence at midfield in all of Englands games so far but she is on the bench having made way for Alice Richardson, the player who was injured in the first match and therefore was absent for the games against the USA and Kazakhstan.

There is no place for Merchant in the squad at all, with Street giving the backs bench cover spot to Michaela Staniford who can cover centre and wing, while Rosmarie Crowley, the young prop who has made real impact from the bench is in the starting team in place of the more experienced Hemming.

Street said: This is a huge game and as such we have picked an extremely experienced side to take on the Australian challenge. Its certainly going to be exciting to play at the Stoop and we are hoping to have the same great support that we have enjoyed at the Surrey Sports Park.

The Australian England rivalry is great in every sporting contest and I am sure it will be no different on Wednesday. This is going to be a tough semi final and we wont be taking anything for granted. There are definitely no easy games in a world cup semi final.

MeanwhileNew Zealand coach Brian Evanshas gone with his strongest lineup for the clash with France,

Canterbury prop Mel Bosman, Auckland lock Victoria Heighway and her provincial union teammate loose forward Justine Lavea all return to the team having been rested for New Zealands final pool match against Wales.

Canterbury loose forward Melissa Ruscoe returns to her captaincy duties for the semifinal. Auckland winger Renee Wickcliffe also returns to the starting line-up having recovered from the calf injury that saw her miss the game against Wales.

Evans said he was impressed with the solid win against Wales considering the nine changes he made to the starting line-up.

We scored some great tries and controlled the match very well, we had some problems with ball retention and that is something we have worked hard on this week.France is a big and strong team with some quality backs and they will present a real challenge to us. It is important the players remain focused on this match, he added.

New Zealand will take the field in a white strip for the match against France.

England team to play Australia.

Danielle Waterman, Charlotte Barras, Emily Scarratt, Alice Richardson, Fiona Pocock, Katy McLean, Amy Turner, Rochelle Clark, Amy Garnett, Rosemarie Crowley, Tamara Taylor, Jo McGilchrist, Heather Fisher, Margaret Alphonsi, Catherine Spencer

Replacements:Emma Croker, Sophie Hemming, Becky Essex, Sarah Beale, La Toya Mason, Rachael Burford, Michaela Staniford (Wasps)

New Zealand team to play France.

Victoria Grant, Carla Hohepa, Huriana Manuel, Kelly Brazier, Renee Wickcliffe, Anna Richards, Emma Jensen, Ruth McKay, Fiaoo Faamausili, Mel Bosman, Vita Robinson, Victoria Heighway, Melissa Ruscoe, Justine Lavea, Casey Robertson

Reserves:Karina Penetito, Steph Te Ohaere-Fox, Monalisa Codling, Joan Sione, Kendra Cocksedge, Rebecca Mahoney (nee Hull), Trish Hina