England have announced their 17 women training squad to head into round two of the Women’s Sevens World Series (WSWS) held in Houston, Texas on 1st-2nd February.
England finished in seventh place in Dubai, and now face a tough start in round two having drawn New Zealand, the Netherlands and Trinidad and Tobago in their pool.
England Women’s Sevens Head Coach Barry Maddocks said: “This is a really tough pool undoubtedly but for us this tournament is about measuring where we are in relation to our opponents as we continue to prepare and build for the RWC Sevens.”
Experienced rugby players Katy McLean, Alexandra Matthews and Marlie Packer will make their debut for the Sevens team as part of the preparation for the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow in June.
Richmond’s Alice Richardson will captain England in Houston with Lichfield’s Emily Scarratt named as vice-captain.
England Sevens
Heather Fisher - (Worcester)
Sarah Guest - (Worcester)
Natasha Hunt - (Lichfield)
Ruth Laybourn - (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
Alexandra Matthews - (Richmond)
Katy McLean - (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
Katherine Merchant - (Worcester)
Marlie Packer - (Bristol)
Alice Richardson (C) - (Richmond)
Emily Scarratt (VC) - (Lichfield)
Michaela Staniford - (Wasps)
Joanne Watmore - (Worcester)
Feb 1
England v Netherlands KO 810pm GMT
England v Trinidad & Tobago KO 10.54pm GMT
England v New Zealand KO 1.38am GMT
Feb 2
Knock out stages
Bianca Fermi, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
