The busiest weekend ever – Part 2

We continue our look ahead to the busiest weekend ever in women's rugby, with the two games taking place on Sunday.  See here for a preview of the earlier weekend games

Published by Alison Donnelly, November 16th, 2018

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The busiest weekend ever – Part 2

England V Canada, Castle Park, Doncaster, 2pm, Sunday, live on EnglandRugby.com

After their fine win over the USA, England will surely expect a tougher challenge against Canada, though they should still come out on top.England last played Canada, who are ranked number four in the world, in three Tests last November, with England coming away with a 3-0 Series win.

Their coach Simon Middleton make 10 changes to their starting 15, with four new players coming in overall.  Saracens back rows Poppy Cleall and Marlie Packer come into the pack, while Rachael Burford (Harlequins) returns to make her 80th England appearance and Millie Wood (Gloucester-Hartpury) makes her first start on the wing, having previously made her three appearances at centre.Among those players moving from last weekend’s bench to the starting 15, Sarah Hunter (Loughborough Lightning) returns at No.8 to captain the side, while Bristol Bears centre Lucy Attwood earns her first start, having come off the bench in her debut during Friday’s 57-5 win.Katy Daley-Mclean (Loughborough Lightning), who earned a memorable 100th cap last weekend, moves to the bench with Zoe Harrison (Saracens) starting at fly half.Middleton said: “From the outset, our intention for the Quilter Internationals was to give each of the selected squad of 28 players an opportunity to stake their claim within a Test match environment. The competition for places is really tough within the squad and that’s great to see. There were some excellent individual performances against the USA on Friday and I will expect to see the same on Sunday against Canada."England:15. Sarah McKenna (Saracens, 15 caps) 14. Millie Wood (Gloucester-Hartpury, 3 caps) 13. Lucy Attwood (Bristol Bears, 1 cap) 12. Rachael Burford (Harlequins, 79 caps) 11. Kelly Smith (Gloucester-Hartpury, 3 caps) 10. Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 6 caps) 9. Leanne Riley (Harlequins, 22 caps) 1. Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins, 40 caps) 2. Lark Davies (Worcester Valkyries, 11 caps) 3. Hannah Botterman (Saracens, 3 caps) 4. Catherine O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 5 caps) 5. Abbie Scott (Harlequins, 30 caps) 6. Poppy Cleall (Saracens, 22 caps) 7. Marlie Packer (Saracens, 59 caps) 8. Sarah Hunter (Loughborough Lightning, 106 caps) ©Replacements.16. Heather Kerr (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 14 caps) 17. Ellena Perry (Saracens, 1 cap) 18. Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins, 3 caps) 19. Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 7 caps) 20. Jo Brown (Loughborough Lightning, 2 caps) 21. Claudia Macdonald (Wasps FC Ladies, 1 cap) 22. Katy Daley-Mclean (Loughborough Lightning, 100 caps) 23. Carys Williams (Loughborough Lightning, 1 cap)Canada team TBC

Ireland V United States, Energia Park at 1.00pm,  Sunday, Live on the Irish Rugby YouTube Channel.These two sides have only met three times in the past two decade with the Americans having a 2-1 record, though Ireland won the most recent outing in 2014.The Irish are in action for the first time since the end of the Six Nations and the story of their selection is the presence of 16 year old Beibhinn Parsons on the bench, who is in line to become the youngest player ever to represent Ireland at this level.

There are other new faces too with Laura Sheehan and Lauren Delany set to make their first Ireland appearances at fullback and wing.

Coach Adam Griggs said: "We've named what we believe to be an exciting side for this weekend's game, with a blend of experienced players along with some new faces who have impressed across the Women's AIL and the Interpro series. We've had some really good preparation over the last two months in camp and the competition amongst the squad has really driven our standards, which in turn has raised the quality of our rugby throughout the side.

"Selections were not an easy task and the players chosen to represent our squad and the jersey this week have stood up and worked hard to earn their selection. This will be the USA's third game in as many weeks, Which I'm sure has given them the chance to bond and gel as a squad.With their A team (or Women's Selectt)- winning in mid-week against their English counterparts,  Rob Cain is in a more positive place than his squad might have been following the heavy losses to England and New Zealand in recent weeks.

Cain said: "It's been a really positive experience against New Zealand and England but I think the group really needed that win over England Academy, they fought really hard for it. The amount of work that went into that has paid dividends for us to have a positive outlook for this week and we're really excited about Ireland."

Changes to this squad include Nick James and Katy Augustyn back at prop and hooker, respectively, while Kristine Sommer will earn the start at lock.

The backs will feature Carly Waters in at scrum half with Jennine Duncan earning a starting position at wing. Duncan joins the starting XV after coming off the bench to score the Eagles' lone try last week against the senior England Red Roses. Waters and Duncan are accompanied by Kimber Rozier and Meya Bizer who join the starting XV at center.

After a collection of new Eagles made their debuts through the duration of the Autumn Internationals, the Women's Eagles could see one more new cap awarded to reserve Tiana A'au this Sunday.

USA:1. Catie Benson 2. Katy Augustyn 3. Nick James 4. Stacey Bridges 5. Kristine Sommer 6. Rachel Johnson 7. Kate Zackary (C) 8. Jordan Gray-Matyas 9. Carly Waters 10. Gabby Cantorna 11. Jennine Dunca 12. Kimber Rozier 13. Meya Bizer 14. Kelsi Stockers 15. Kaitlyn BroughtonReplacements:16. Tiana A'au 17. Azniv Nalbandian 18. Joyce Taufa 19. Alycia Washington 20. Anna Karen Pedraza 21. Evan Hoese 22. McKenzie Hawkins 23. Megan Foster

Ireland:Lauren Delany, Eimear Considine, Sene Naoupu, Michelle Claffey, Laura Sheehan, Nikki Caughey, Ailsa Hughes, Lindsay Peat, Sarah Mimnagh, Fiona Reidy, Aoife McDermott, Ciara Cooney, Edel McMahon, Claire Molloy, Ciara GriffinReplacements:Emma Hooban, Laura Feely, Leah Lyons, Nichola Fryday, Jeamie Deacon, Nicole Cronin, Claire McLaughlin, Beibhinn Parsons

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