Four players will make their international debuts on Saturday when England take on Sweden in Amsterdam in the European Championship curtain raiser, kick-off 430pm BST.

Lichfield duo Rosemarie Crowley and Vicki Jackson, Bath's Marlie Packer and Richmond's Francesca Matthews have all be named in England Head Coach Gary Street's starting line-up.

A fifth player, Fiona Pocock from Richmond RFC, could also make her debut if she is called off the bench for the Swedish clash.

The team also includes some very experienced players, including a bench that can boast nearly 200 caps between them and the current England captain Catherine Spencer.

England Head Coach Street, who guided England to a third and unprecedented RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam in March, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for the five uncapped players to show what they can do at this level.

"I am keen to blood these players so they can get settled early on in the tournament.

"This is still a strong starting line-up with a formidable bench to back them up.

"Sweden have progressed a lot over the last couple of years and have a new coaching team in place that I know are doing lots of good things. I have been over to see them and I know they also have some very good individual players. This is also their first European Championships so I'm sure they'll be looking to make an impression. For us, we need to make a strong start as this is a knock out tournament from the first game."

The European Championships will see 14 teams from across Europe compete for the coveted crown, including all the Home Nations teams as well as France, Spain, the Netherlands and Sweden.

If England, who are seeded in Group A, defeat Sweden they will compete in the semi-finals on May 20th. The final takes place on May 24th.

England Team

1 Claire Purdy Wasps 2 Samantha Dale Worcester 3 Rosemarie Crowley Lichfield 4 Sarah Beale Leos 5 Joanna McGilchrist Wasps 6 Sarah Hunter Lichfield 7 Marlie Packer Bath 8 Karen Jones Richmond 9 Georgina Rozario Plymouth Albion 10 Katy McLean Darlington Mowden Park Sharks 11 Francesca MatthewsRichmond 12 Kimberley Oliver Clifton 13 Vicki Jackson Lichfield 14 Katherine Merchant Worcester 15 Vicky Massarella Saracens Replacements: 16 Amy Garnett Saracens 17 Rochelle Clark Henley 18 Tamara Taylor Darlington Mowden Park Sharks 19 Margaret Alphonsi Saracens 20 Catherine Spencer Worcester 21 Amy Turner Richmond 22 Fiona Pocock Richmond

4:23pm Thursday 15th May 2008

Print   Email this