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Sharks Skipper Kerr Named In England Squad

Sharks Skipper Kerr Named In England Squad

Tom Bulmer18 Oct 2018 - 08:00
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Heather Kerr included in Red Roses squad ahead for the Quilter Autumn Internationals.

Red Roses head coach Simon Middleton has named his squad for the three-Test Quilter Internationals this November.

The Red Roses play USA, Canada and Ireland in the three-Test series at Allianz Park, Castle Park and Twickenham Stadium this November with every game available live on Sky Sports.

28 players have been included, including seven uncapped names. Lucy Attwood (Bristol Ladies), Sarah Beckett (Firwood Waterloo Ladies), Ellie Mulhearn (Bristol Ladies), and Ellena Perry (Saracens Women) all featured in England Women U20’s summer tour to Canada, with established Red Roses Hannah Botterman (Saracens), Zoe Harrison (Saracens) and Abby Dow (Wasps FC Ladies) also named having toured with the development side in August.

In addition, Wasps scrum half Claudia Macdonald, Gloucester-Hartpury centre Tatyana Heard and Loughborough Lightning centre Carys Williams will all be looking for their first appearance for the Red Roses.

Alongside the new talent are a number of established players with long-time Red Rose captain Sarah Hunter again named to lead the side. Katy Daley-Mclean will make her 100th international appearance if named to play in one of the three games.

Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens), Sarah McKenna (Saracens) and Lydia Thompson (Worcester Valkyries) will be looking for their first international 15-aside starts since the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup having returned to the 15-aside setup after time in the England Sevens programme last season.

England Women open their campaign against USA at Allianz Park on Friday 9 November.

“As a group, we are really looking forward to getting the Quilter Internationals underway and performing to our maximum," said Middleton.

“We have made a number of changes within the squad, with 12 new faces named since the 2018 Six Nations. While there is a great feel of youthfulness, with seven players fresh from the Under 20’s summer tour, we have critically been able to retain a number of world class performers from the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup, ensuring an essential balance of quality, youth and experience.

“As we start our journey towards the 2021 World Cup, the focus over the Quilter Internationals is not only on winning but performance. We have reshaped our game and we will be looking to see which players can bring the plan to life in the intensity of an international match environment.

"With full-time contracts on the horizon and a great season of international rugby in front of us, the challenge and opportunity is there for individuals to stake their claim as a Red Rose.”

Three Bristol Bears players, Sarah Bern, Lagi Tuima, and Amber Reed, are unavailable through injury. Wasps FC Ladies hooker Amy Cokayne is unavailable for the three Tests due to commitments with the Royal Air Force.

Forwards
Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Sarah Beckett (Firwood Waterloo Ladies)
Jo Brown (Loughborough Lightning)
Hannah Botterman (Saracens)
Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins Ladies)
Poppy Cleall (Saracens)
Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins Ladies)
Lark Davies (Worcester Valkyries)
Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens)
Sarah Hunter (Loughborough Lightning)
Heather Kerr (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
Ellie Mulhearn (Bristol Ladies)
Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning)
Marlie Packer (Saracens Women)
Ellena Perry (Saracens Women)
Abbie Scott (Harlequins Ladies)

Backs
Lucy Attwood (Bristol Bears)
Rachael Burford (Harlequins Ladies)
Katy Daley-Mclean (Loughborough Lightning)
Abigail Dow (Wasps FC Ladies)
Zoe Harrison (Saracens Women)
Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Claudia Macdonald (Wasps FC Ladies)
Sarah McKenna (Saracens)
Leanne Riley (Harlequins Ladies)
Kelly Smith (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Lydia Thompson (Worcester Valkyries)
Carys Williams (Loughborough Lightning)

Quilter Internationals
• England Women v USA Women - Friday 9 November - Allianz Park (KO 7.45pm, Sky Sports Action)
• England Women v Canada Women - Sunday 18 November - Castle Park (KO 2pm, Sky Sports and EnglandRugby.com)
• England Women v Ireland Women - Saturday 24 November - Twickenham Stadium (KO 5.40pm, Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Mix)

Further reading