RFUW
England Women’s 2007/2008 Elite Squad
Julia Hutton, RFUW Media Manager
Gary Street
England Women’s Head Coach Gary Street has named his England Elite squad of 44 for the 2007/2008 season. Street, in his first season in charge, has named an exciting squad which includes 12 newcomers. The 44 players will be selected to play for England or England A. Both teams will take on the USA in December while England will also look to defend their RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam title for a third year on the bounce in February. Street said: “This is a very exciting, fresh squad of players that I am relishing working with over the season. We have a real mix of short term and long term potential, with one eye on the 2010 IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup. “In total there are 12 new faces in the squad. They’re all showing great potential and have put their hands up over the summer, playing club rugby and most recently in England trials. Now they have to make the next step-up. “The players will have their first chance to show what they can do when we play the US on December 12th (England A) and December 15th (England) at London Irish’s Sunbury ground. These will be two tough international fixtures that will also help us select our Six Nations squad.” There are three notable exclusions from the squad. England captain Sue Day has retired after an illustrious rugby career which has included RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam titles and three Rugby World Cups. England fly-half Karen Andrew has also hung up her international rugby boots after six seasons of running out for the red roses as has wing Emily Cook, who amassed 33 caps after making her international debut in 1999. Street added: “I would like to thank Sue, Karen and Emily for their commitment and effort during the several years they have been involved in international rugby. They have all been outstanding players for England and ambassadors for the game. We all wish them all the best for the future.” Richmond duo Karen Jones and Alice Richardson have also been welcomed back into the squad after a year out.
ENGLAND WOMEN’S ELITE SQUAD 2007/2008
Claire Allen, Centre, Saracens
Margaret Alphonsi, Flanker, Saracens
Sara Anastasi*, Lock, Richmond
Charlotte Barras, Full-back, Saracens
Sarah Beale, No. 8/lock, Leos
Natalie Binstead, Lock, Wasps
Rachael Burford, Centre, Saracens
Rochelle Clark, Prop, Henley
Rosemarie Crowley, Prop, Lichfield
Samantha Dale, Hooker, Worcester
Becky Essex, Second/ back-row, Richmond
Amy Garnett, Hooker, Saracens
Sophie Hemming, Prop, Clifton
Sarah Hunter, Back-row, Lichfield
Vicki Jackson*, Full-back/centre, Lichfield
Samantha Jamieson*, Hooker, Darlington Mowden Sharks
Karen Jones, Back-row, Richmond
Emma Layland, Hooker, Richmond
Tina Lee*, Centre, Clifton
Jane Leonard, Back-row, Wasps/Army
Vicky Massarella, Full-back/centre, Saracens
Fran Matthews*, Centre, Richmond
Joanna McGilchrist*, Lock , Wasps
Katy McLean, Fly-half, Darlington Mowden Sharks
Katherine Merchant, Wing, Worcester
Amber Penrith, Wing, Cardiff Quins
Fiona Pocock, Wing, Richmond
Helen Price*, Wing, Waterloo
Claire Purdy*, Prop, Wasps
Shelley Rae, Fly-half, Wasps
Alice Richardson, Fly-half, Richmond
Georgina Roberts, Centre, Darlington Mowden Sharks
Georgina Rozario, Scrum-half, Plymouth Albion
Gemma Sharples*, Flanker, Worcester
Heidi Shelburg*, No.8, Wasps
Harriet Slynn, Scrum-half, Richmond
Katherine Smith*, Prop, Richmond
Catherine Spencer, No.8, Worcester
Michaela Staniford, Centre, Wasps
Alexandra Stevens*, Lock, Lichfield
Katy Storie, Prop, Blaydon
Tamara Taylor, Lock, Darlington Mowden Sharks
Amy Turner, Scrum-half, Richmond
Danielle Waterman, Wing, Clifton
*new England Elite Squad member
Sport England
Sport England are funding a new Resource and Volunteer Support Officer for the RFUW. Holly Hart is taking up the new role and will be delivering the RFUW training and development strategy for all RFUW officers and volunteers.
