Tuesday, August 31, 2010

England Women ready for semi test

Women's Rugby World Cup 2010
Venue: Twickenham Stoop (semis and final) Dates: Fri 20 August - Sun 5 Sept
Semi-final kick-offs: 1800 BST & 2015 BST Coverage: Live on Sky Sports 3


England's Amy Turner
Turner scored against Ireland and returns to the starting line-up

England Women are poised for a tough encounter when they take on Australia in Wednesday night's World Cup semi-final at the Twickenham Stoop.

"The Australian-English rivalry is great in every sporting contest and I am sure it will be no different on Wednesday," said coach Gary Street.

England won all three of their pool games to reach the last four.

But they have made five changes from the team that defeated the United States 37-10 in their previous match.

Alice Richardson, Fiona Pocock and Amy Turner start behind the scrum, while Heather Fisher returns in the back row for the match, which starts at 2015 BST.

Rosemarie Crowley plays at tight-head prop in Street's side, which is again captained by Catherine Spencer.

Following his team's victories over Ireland, Kazakhstan and the USA, Street said: "This is a huge game and as such we have picked an extremely experienced side to take on the Australian challenge.

"It's certainly going to be exciting to play at the Stoop and we are hoping to have the same great support that we have enjoyed at the Surrey Sports Park.

"This is going to be a tough semi-final and we won't be taking anything for granted. There are definitely no easy games in a World Cup semi-final."

England, who won the tournament in 1994, have reached four of the last five finals but lost out to New Zealand in the last two.

The Black Ferns face France in Wednesday's other semi-final.

The New Zealanders, who are first in action on Wednesday with an 1800 BST kick-off, are bidding for their fourth successive world title.


England: Danielle Waterman (Worcester), Charlotte Barras (Saracens), Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), Alice Richardson (Richmond), Fiona Pocock (Richmond); Katy McLean (Darlington), Amy Turner (Richmond); Rochelle Clark, Amy Garnett, Rosemarie Crowley (Lichfield), Tamara Taylor (Darlington), Jo McGilchrist (Wasps), Heather Fisher (Worcester), Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens), Catherine Spencer (Bristol, capt).
Replacements: Emma Croker (Richmond), Sophie Hemming (Bristol), Becky Essex (Richmond), Sarah Beale (Lichfield), La Toya Mason (Richmond), Rachael Burford (Richmond).

Potenshöjande medel -

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