Fresh faces in England squad for Canada and USA tests

Several newcomers could feature for England when they face Canada and the USA in next month’s international fixtures. Head coach Simon Middleton has named 11 uncapped players in his extended group of 40. All members of the group play in the domestic Premier 15s competition.

The Red Roses will face Canada at The Stoop in London on November 14 with the Eagles landing at Sixways in Worcester on November 21. A two-test series against defending World Champions New Zealand will precede on October 31 in Exeter and November 7 in Northampton.

Premier 15s champions Harlequins provide 10 players to the squad with runners up Saracens contributing 8. World class center Emily Scarratt misses out due to injury but long-time captain Sarah Hunter is present and the most experienced player in the group with 126 caps.

New names include prop Maud Muir, hooker Connie Powell, flankers Sadia Kabeya and Emily Robinson, scrumhalves Lucy Packer and Ella Wyrwas, versatile halfback Flo Robinson, center Holly Aitchison, and outside backs Heather Cowell, Merryn Doidge, and Emma Sing.

England are currently at the top of the World Rugby Rankings with New Zealand just behind in second place. Canada occupy third spot, with the USA coming in at sixth.

PROP
Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 36 caps)
Hannah Botterman (Saracens, 22 caps)
Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins, 24 caps)
Bryony Cleall (Wasps, 5 caps)
Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins, 60 caps)
Detysha Harper (Loughborough Lightning, 5 caps)
Maud Muir (Wasps, uncapped)

HOOKER
Amy Cokayne (Harlequins, 57 caps)
Lark Davies (Loughborough Lightning, 31 caps)
Connie Powell (Gloucester-Hartpury, uncapped)

SECOND ROW
Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 24 caps)
Poppy Cleall (Saracens, 47 caps)
Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 19 caps)
Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 47 caps)

BACK ROW
Sarah Beckett (Harlequins, 21 caps)
Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens, 79 caps)
Sarah Hunter (Loughborough Lightning, 126 caps)
Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, uncapped)
Alex Matthews (Worcester Warriors, 41 caps)
Harriet Millar-Mills (Wasps, 62 caps)
Marlie Packer (Saracens, 76 caps)
Emily Robinson (Harlequins, uncapped)

SCRUMHALF
Claudia MacDonald (Wasps, 15 caps)
Lucy Packer (Harlequins, uncapped)
Leanne Riley (Bristol Bears, 44 caps)
Ella Wyrwas (Saracens, uncapped)

FLYHALF
Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 30 caps)
Flo Robinson (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 6 caps)

CENTER
Holly Aitchison (Saracens, uncapped)
Sarah McKenna (Saracens, 36 caps)
Amber Reed (Bristol Bears, 58 caps)
Lagi Tuima (Harlequins, 8 caps)

WING
Jess Breach (Harlequins, 19 caps)
Heather Cowell (Harlequins, uncapped)
Abby Dow (Wasps, 18 caps)
Lydia Thompson (Worcester Warriors, 47 caps)

FULLBACK
Merryn Doidge (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 15 caps)
Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, uncapped)