England elite squad named

Head coach Gary Street has named a squad of 44 players who will first of all contest the three test series against New Zealand in November

"We have a very busy international programme this season and that will give everyone in this squad the chance to put their hands up for a place in next year's world cup squad," said Street.

There are a number of new faces in the squad.

Worcester prop Laura Keates will be hoping to make her first England appearance at senior level having captained the Under 20s to Nations Cup to glory last year. Richmond centre Abi Chamberlain also joins the squad alongside Team Northumbria's Jane Leonard, who returns after a year out, while Worcester's Amber Penrith has also come out of retirement.

Street added: "I've brought in four new players this season and I now feel we have a solid and experienced squad capable of realising our ambitions. I'm delighted to welcome Laura, Abi, Amber and Jane into the squad. Laura has had two very good years with the under 20s, and will certainly add more strength to our forwards this year, while Abi is a very versatile player who has huge potential and can play in the centre, at full back and on the wing.

"Both Amber and Jane return to the squad after some time off, and both have proven what talent they are in the past. I am sure they'll play a big part this season."

England Elite Squad 2009/2010

Claire Allan Richmond Centre

Margaret Alphonsi Saracens Flanker

Charlotte Barras Saracens Full Back

Sarah Beale Lichfield No 8

Natalie Binstead Wasps Second Row

Rachael Burford Richmond Centre

Rowena Burnfield Richmond Second Row

*Abi Chamberlain Richmond Centre

Rochelle Clark Team Northumbria Prop

Rosemarie Crowley Lichfield Prop

Becky Essex Richmond Second Row

Heather Fisher Worcester Flanker

Amy Garnett Saracens Hooker

Sonia Green Saracens Flanker

Sarah Guest Worcester Scrum Half

Sophie Hemming Bristol Prop

Sarah Hunter Lichfield Flanker

Karen Jones Worcester No 8

*Laura Keates Worcester Prop

Danielle Knight Lichfield Fly Half

Emma Layland Richmond Hooker

*Jane Leonard Team Northumbria/Army Flanker

La Toya Mason Wasps Scrum Half

Francesca Matthews Richmond Winger

Joanna McGilchrist Wasps Second Row

Katy McLean Darlington Mowden Park Sharks Fly Half

Katherine Merchant Worcester Winger

Kimberley Oliver Bristol Centre

*Amber Penrith Worcester Winger

Fiona Pocock Richmond Winger

Olivia Poore Lichfield Hooker

Claire Purdy Wasps Prop

Sam Reeve Worcester Hooker

Alice Richardson Richmond Fly Half

Georgina Roberts Darlington Mowden Park Sharks Centre

Georgina Rozario Bristol Scrum Half

Emily Scarratt Lichfield Centre

Gemma Sharples Worcester Flanker

Catherine Spencer Bristol No 8

Michaela Staniford Wasps Winger

Katy Storie Team Northumbria Prop

Tamara Taylor Darlington Mowden Park Sharks Second Row

Amy Turner Richmond Scrum Half

Danielle Waterman Worcester Fullback

* denotes new elite squad member

England v New Zealand international fixtures

November 14th - England v New Zealand, Esher RFC, KO 4pm

November 17th - England A v New Zealand, Esher RFC, KO 7pm

November 21st - Investec Challenge Double Header, England v New Zealand, Twickenham, KO 445pm