Red Roses squad for USA announced
Head Coach Simon Middleton has named his England matchday squad to face USA at Sandy Park. Exeter this weekend.
The Red Roses face the Eagles in their opening Summer Nations Series match on Saturday, 3 September (KO 3pm) with the game live on ITV4 and ITV Hub.
Emily Scarratt captains the side at outside centre with flanker Zoe Aldcroft vice-captain.
Tatyana Heard starts at inside centre for her first England appearance since February 2019 with Saracens fly half Zoe Harrison making up the 10-12 axis.
Cath O’Donnell returns at lock following an injury lay-off while her Loughborough Lightning teammate Morwenna Talling is named among the finishers.
Claudia MacDonald, who signed for Exeter Chiefs in the summer, starts on the left wing at her new home stadium with Ellie Kildunne (full back) and Jess Breach (right wing) forming the back three.
Hannah Botterman (loose-head prop), Amy Cokayne (hooker) and Bryony Cleall (tight-head prop) form the front row.
After an impressive 2022 TikTok Women’s Six Nations, Harlequins’ Rosie Galligan is at lock while Sadia Kabeya (open-side flanker) and Poppy Cleall (No.8) also start.
Gloucester-Hartpury’s Natasha Hunt takes her place at scrum half.
Connie Powell, Maud Muir, Vicky Fleetwood, Shaunagh Brown, Leanne Infante, Helena Rowland and Holly Aitchison are also named as finishers.
Middleton said: “We’re really looking forward to this weekend’s game at Sandy Park in front of what’s set to be another big crowd.
“The team have had a brilliant period of preparation since the start of July, the longest run-in we’ve had in pre-season, and have worked tirelessly to ensure we’re in the best possible place.
“This is a really important game for everyone selected in the matchday 23. Sometimes in sport opportunities are limited and with just the two matches before the tournament in New Zealand this is one of those occasions, so it’s important that individually and collectively this team performs to their best on Saturday afternoon.
“We know the USA are a strong side and performed well against Scotland last week.
“The whole 35-player squad have remained in camp to continue preparations and it’s been a real team effort to prepare for this game.
“There is always a fantastic atmosphere down here in Devon and we hope to put on a show.”
Red Roses team
15. Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 23 caps)
14. Jess Breach (Saracens, 22 caps)
13. Emily Scarratt (C; Loughborough Lightning, 101 caps)
12. Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 4 caps)
11. Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 18 caps)
10. Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 38 caps)
9. Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 59 caps)
1. Hannah Botterman (Saracens, 28 caps)
2. Amy Cokayne (Harlequins, 62 caps)
3. Bryony Cleall (Wasps, 6 caps)
4. Rosie Galligan (Harlequins, 6 caps)
5. Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 19 caps)
6. Zoe Aldcroft (VC; Gloucester-Hartpury, 30 caps)
7. Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 3 caps)
8. Poppy Cleall (Saracens, 55 caps)
Finishers
16. Connie Powell (Gloucester-Hartpury, 4 caps)
17. Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 9 caps)
18. Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins, 26 caps)
19. Morwenna Talling (Loughborough Lightning, 3 caps)
20. Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens, 81 caps)
21. Leanne Infante (Saracens, 51 caps)
22. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 15 caps)
23. Holly Aitchison (Saracens, 8 caps)
