England name EPS squad

England have named a 50 player Elite Payer Squad for the coming season.

The squad includes 11 newcomers but also is notable for the omission of two of England’s leading payers Jo Watmore and Alice Richardson, who do not feature at all the RFU say: "after failing to adhere to and demonstrate the behaviours expected of them in the 2012/13 season, and to which they commit to as members of the EPS."

The union continued: "Going forward, to be reconsidered for selection both players must play Premiership rugby this coming season, and must demonstrate the high performance standards expected of them as part of the RFU’s Code of Conduct. The individuals will be monitored throughout the season."

Players in the EPS will compete for places in an Autumn series in November, likely to see them play France and Canada, and the Six Nations Championships ahead of the 2014 World Cup. The England Sevens squad will also be chosen from this group as they prepare to play in the expanded World Series circuit, which starts in Dubai in December. Players from outside the squad can be called up for these tournaments however.

An England World Cup training squad will also be selected from the EPS in November to support preparations for the World Cup. This squad are set to receive increased training time and enhanced resources available to them in the New Year.

Of the newcomers, Thurrock hooker Mercedes Foy and Lichfield prop Justine Lucas have been included after impressing during this summer’s Nations Cup, whilst Worcester centre Megan Goddard, Durham’s Sophie Lee, Saracens’ Leanne Riley, Bristol’s Siobhan Longdon-Hughes and Amy Wilson-Hardy all graduate from the England Under 20s or the Sevens Development squads.

Thurrock fly-half Emily Scott, who made her England debut in last season’s Six Nations campaign, makes the step-up to the EPS and Saracens’ Sarah McKenna also returns.

There are also call-ups for Megan Ellery, younger sister of England Sevens player Mike Ellery, and Deborah Fleming, who is the first player to be selected into the EPS from UK Sport’s Power 2 Podium talent identification programme. Both players impressed in the England Sevens Open Trials held earlier this year.

England Head Coach Gary Street said: “This season we have selected a squad of 50 players for our EPS and this is because of the challenge a World Cup year brings as well as being one of eight teams selected for every Sevens World Series events. This is a really exciting squad with several established and experienced players mixed with some new, fresh talent from the U20s and the Sevens development programme.

“This is obviously a huge year for England Rugby and although the 2010 RWC doesn’t seem that long ago the excitement for the 2014 tournament has already started to build. We will certainly be providing our players with a comprehensive playing programme as we build towards the RWC next summer. The players who kicked off their Premiership season on Sunday are already chomping at the bit.”

England EPS 2013/2014

Claire Allan (Richmond), Marggie Alphonsi (Saracens), Emily  Braund (Lichfield), Natasha  Brennan  (Wasps), Rachael   Burford (Thurrock), Rowena Burnfield (Richmond), Lauren Cattell (Saracens), Abigail Chamberlain (Richmond), Rochelle Clark   (Worcester). Emma Croker  (Richmond). Fiona  Davidson (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks),*Megan Ellery  (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)Becky Essex (Richmond),Heather Fisher (Worcester),Vicky  Fleetwood  (Lichfield),*Deborah Fleming (Bristol),*Mercedes Foy (Thurrock).Hannah Gallagher (Saracens),*Megan Goddard  (Worcester),Georgina       Gulliver          (Lichfield),Sophie Hemming   (Bristol),Natasha Hunt   (Lichfield),Sarah Hunter  (Lichfield),Laura  Keates (Worcester),Ceri Large  (Worcester),Ruth   Laybourn       (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks),*Sophie  Lee (Durham University),*Siobhan Longdon-Hughes (Bristol),*Justine Lucas (Lichfield),La Toya          Mason (Wasps),Alexandra  Matthews (Richmond),Francesca  Matthews (Richmond),Joanna  McGilchrist    (Wasps),*Sarah McKenna (Saracens),Katy    McLean  (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks),Kat Merchant (Worcester),Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield),Marlie Packer  (Wasps),Claire Purdy (Wasps),Amber            Reed  (Bristol)*Leanne Riley   (Saracens),Emily  Scarratt (Lichfield)*Emily Scott (Thurrock),Michaela Staniford (Wasps),Tamara           Taylor (Lichfield),Lydia  Thompson (Worcester),Sally Tuson (Saracens),Danielle Waterma (Bristol),Kay  Wilson (Bristol),*Amy  Wilson-Hardy  (Bristol)

*Denotes new squad member