England make 12 changes for Kazakh clash

After an opening day win over the Irish, Gary Street has handed the captain's armband to Katy McLean who will skipper the side with Catherine Spencer rested for the game.

Saracens Charlotte Barras(pictured)returns to the starting line-up having missed the entire Six Nations through injury while Wasps Michaela Staniford gets her first start after her late call up to the squad after Claire Allans injury withdrawal.

Only lock Becky Essex, McLean, flanker Heather Fisher, back Fiona Pocock and centre Rachael Burford will start their second successive world cup game of 2010.

Street said: We have been working hard over the last three years to reach our goal of being able to field a squad of 26 who are as strong from 1 to 26 and we have achieved this. This team is an extremely strong side and I am confident they will perform against Kazakhstan. Katy also has a wealth of captaincy experience and has done a great job in leading the team in the past, most recently in the Six Nations. She is a natural leader."

Kazakhstan are a team we have had little experience of but we do know they will be very physical. They are a hard working side with some very talented sevens players so we know it is vital to play to our potential ahead of this tough and busy week of rugby.

England team to play Kazakhstan:Fiona Pocock, Charlotte Barras, Michaela Staniford, Rachael Burford, Amber Penrith, Katy McLean, La Toya Mason, Claire Purdy, Emma Crocke, Rosemarie Crowley, Becky Essex, Tamara Taylor, Sarah Hunter, Heather Fisher, Sarah Beale

Replacements:Amy Garnett, Sophie Hemming, Jo McGilchrist, Margaret Alphonsi, Amy Turner, Katherine Merchant, Danielle Waterman