Strong England side named for 6 Nations opener

The England womens rugby team to play Wales in the opening round of the 6 Nations has been named. While there are no new faces in the team, coach Gary Street has mixed up the starting line-up from the last outing in the World Cup final.

Fly-half Katy McLean will skipper England as they bid to win a sixth consecutive title and defend their grand slam crown.

The 22-player squad features17 players who featured in last Septembers final defeat against New Zealand. Of the remainder, Michaela Staniford, who was also in the World Cup squad, Kim Oliver, Rowena Burnfield, Georgina Rozario and Georgina Roberts are also included.

Oliver gets a go at inside centre and Staniford on the wing, while the others are named as replacements.

Last year England beat Wales 31-0 in acomfortable victory.

Street said: We have worked really hard since the disappointment of losing the world cup final,

We are fortunate that we havent had many retirements since the world cup and that this is still a relatively young squad, so we are now just looking forward to getting back on the pitch and playing again. Our aim is to raise our standards, and to focus 100 percent on this first game.

Wales finished ninth at the World Cup and are in rebuilding mode. They can however take heart from the fact that the last time they hosted England they beat them.

Street said: The last time we played Wales in Wales we lost 16-15, so yes there is huge motivation for us here. We got turned over last time and we dont want that to happen again.

Wales, however, have a new coach in Kris da Scossa. Kris is very experienced, having previously worked for the Canadian national side, and I am sure for his players having a new coach will create extra motivation. This is a new start for them so we wont know what to expect.

For us too, this is a new start with a new captain and vice captain and we are all looking forward to getting back on the pitch and starting the healing process. There is huge anticipation for this game and the season ahead and my selection for this opener shows that I plan to make sure we do the job.

England team to play Wales.

15. Danielle Waterman (Worcester), 14. Katherine Merchant (Worcester) 13. Emily Scarratt (Lichfield) 12. Kimberley Oliver (Bristol) 11. Michaela Staniford (Wasps), 10. Katy McLean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks (C)), 9. La Toya Mason (Wasps), 1. Rochelle Clark (Worcester), 2. Amy Garnett (Saracens), 3. Sophie Hemming (Bristol), 4. Joanna McGilchrist (Wasps), 5. Rebecca Essex (Richmond), 6. Sarah Hunter (Lichfield), 7. Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens), 8. Catherine Spencer (Bristol)

Replacements: 16. Emma Croker (Richmond), 17. Claire Purdy (Wasps), 18. Rowena Burnfield (Richmond), 19. Heather Fisher (Worcester)20. Georgina Rozario (Lichfield), 21. Rachael Burford (Richmond), 22. Georgina Roberts (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)