New-look Black Fern squad to tour England

A new-look Black Ferns side will tour England next month with eight new caps named in the squad to take part in the three-test series.

The reigning World Champions will be captained by Victoria Grant(pictured third from left)who was a key member of the side who lifted the title last year. The three tests will be played on November 26 and 29 and December 3 with the first game to be played at Twickenham.

It's a gruelling schedule for a 26-player squad whch is dominated by NPC winners Auckland who supply 14 playes.

Four of the new caps also come from Auckland - Eloise Blackwell, Rawinia Everitt, Kalani Matapo and Hazel Tubic, and three from NPC runners-up Wellington - Muteremoana Aiatu, Shakira Baker and Katarina Whata.

Lydia Crossman from Hawkes Bay is also a newcomer to the squad, Canterburys Amanda Murphy is playing for the team for the first time since 2009, while 2007 Black Fern, Kathleen Wilton, has been included after the Otago-based prop returned from playing overseas.

Several members of last years squad were unavailable for selection this year including 2010 IRB Womens Personality of the Year Carla Hohepa (overseas) Monalisa Codling (retired), Victoria Heighway, Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox and Halie Hurring (overseas), Joan Sione and Linda Itunu (injured), Huriana Manuel and Ruth McKay.

Also in the squad is Amiria Rule, who missed last year's World Cup through injury.

Stepping up from the assistant role to take Head Coach duties, Grant Hansen said he was excited about the new crop of players and the opportunities that the tour presents for them.

With a number of the World Cup winning Black Ferns unavailable this year its encouraging to have this series to blood some of the new players, he said.

The three Tests against England will be repeated in 2012 and 2013 and Hansen said he was thrilled with the prospect of annual fixtures against their traditional arch rivals.

For the players to have a series between the worlds top two womens teams at the end of each season to strive towards is great news for the development of the womens game, Hansen added.

The team assembles in Auckland on 17 November for a three-day camp before departing for London on 20 November.

The Black Ferns squad to travel to England for a three-Test tour is:

Black Ferns squad:Victoria Grant (captain), Eloise Blackwell, Rawinia Everitt, Fiao'o Fa'amausili, Trish Hina, Emma Jensen, Justine Lavea, Kalani Matapo, Karina Penetito, Vita Robinson, Aroha Savage, Doris Taufateau, Hazel Tubic, Renee Wickliffe (all Auckland), Amiria Rule, Kelly Brazier, Kendra Cocksedge, Casey Robertson, Amanda Murphy (all Canterbury), Muteremoana Aiatu, Shakira Baker, Rebecca Mahoney, Katarina Whata (all Wellington), Mel Bosman, Lydia Crossman (both Hawke's Bay), Kathleen Wilton (Otago).