Red Roses squad for Wales announced
Head coach Simon Middleton has named the Red Roses match day squad to play Wales on Wednesday.
Sarah Hunter returns to captain the side at No 8 while vice-captain Emily Scarratt retains her place at outside centre.
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- Kick off from Ashton Gate 7:30pm
Harlequins’ Vickii Cornborough (loose head prop) and Bristol Bears duo Lark Davies (hooker) and Sarah Bern (tight head prop) are a changed front row from those who featured in the victory over USA last time out.
Scrum half Lucy Packer is set to make her second Red Roses start, while Zoe Harrison and Helena Rowland form the 10-12 axis. Zoe Aldcroft and Abbie Ward make up the second row while Alex Matthews (blindside flanker) and Marlie Packer (openside flanker) return to the squad.
Ellie Kildunne (full back), Lydia Thompson (right wing) and Sarah McKenna (left wing) make up the back three. Bristol-born Amber Reed is named among the finishers alongside Amy Cokayne, Hannah Botterman, Maud Muir, Morwenna Talling, Poppy Cleall, Holly Aitchison and player of the match against USA Claudia MacDonald.
"We are looking forward to our match at Ashton Gate in our final fixture before departing for New Zealand," said Middleton. "We always said we’d work with a number of players across the two matches and that’s what we’ve done. This is another opportunity for players to perform and show what they can do. This game is about building form, synergy and confidence.
"It’s been a poignant and significant week for the nation. We as a Red Roses player and staff group are privileged to have the chance to pay our respects to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at this fixture and to acknowledge her 70 years of duty. It’s fitting this fixture falls against Wales and I’m sure Ioan and his staff will, like us, want to put on a performance that would have made Her Majesty proud in front of a British crowd.”
Red Roses squad
15. Ellie Kildunne
14. Lydia Thompson
13. Emily Scarratt
12. Helena Rowland
11. Sarah McKenna
10. Zoe Harrison
9. Lucy Packer
1. Vickii Cornborough
2. Lark Davies
3. Sarah Bern
4. Zoe Aldcroft
5. Abbie Ward
6. Alex Matthews
7. Marlie Packer
8. Sarah Hunter
Finishers
16. Amy Cokayne
17. Hannah Botterman
18. Maud Muir
19. Morwenna Talling
20. Poppy Cleall
21. Claudia MacDonald
22. Amber Reed
23.Holly Aitchison
