Valkyries set for Super Series finale against USA

Four Worcester Valkyries start for England Women in their final game of the Women’s Rugby Super Series against USA Eagles on Saturday (kick-off 10pm BST).

Another two Valkyries are named on the bench as the Women go in search of back-to-back wins in the competition when they do battle at the Regional Athletic Complex in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Worcester's Bianca Blackburn, who crossed the whitewash in the Women's opening game against Canada, has been rewarded with a starting position at scrum-half as Lead Coach Scott Bemand makes four changes to the side.

Valkyries centre Ceri Large, who bagged a try in the win over France, is named in the starting line-up and is set for her 50th international appearance.

Worcester's Laura Keates and Lydia Thompson also start for the Women while Lark Davies and Rochelle Clark are among the front row replacements.

Bemand said: “The win against France was great for many reasons and now we're looking to take the confidence we gained into this final game of the series.

“The USA will pose a very different challenge to Canada and France. Both sides have had a quick turnaround to this game, but the girls have recovered well. USA will be looking to get a win from the series and so we know that they will come at us hard but we've got to continue to build momentum from Tuesday and deliver what we know we're capable of as a side.”

England last played the USA in last year's Super Series in Calgary, Canada, winning 39 – 13.

The match will be broadcast live on TheRugbyChannel.TV

England Women fixtures/results
Canada 52-17 England
England 17-13 France
USA v England, July 9

England Women team:
15 Fiona Pocock (Richmond) (28 caps)
14 Lydia Thompson (Worcester) (24 caps)
13 Lauren Cattell (Saracens) (19 caps)
12 Ceri Large (Worcester) (49 caps)
11 Lotte Clapp (Saracens) (9 caps)
10 Amber Reed (Bristol) (31 caps)
9 Bianca Blackburn (Worcester) (14 caps)
1 Victoria Cornborough (Richmond) (16 caps)
2 Amy Cokayne (Lichfield) (15 caps)
3 Laura Keates (Worcester) (51 caps)
4 Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield) (33 caps)
5 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park) (93 caps)
6 Alex Matthews (Richmond) (23 caps)
7 Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol) (19 caps)
8 Sarah Hunter (Bristol) (80 caps) (C)

Replacements
16 Lark Davies (Worcester) (2 caps)
17 Rochelle Clark (Worcester) (112 caps)
18 Sarah Bern (Bristol) (1 cap)
19 Zoe Aldrcoft (Darlington Mowden Park) (1 cap)
20 Poppy Leitch (Bristol) (5 caps)
21 Leanne Riley (Richmond) (8 caps)
22 Millie Wood (Lichfield) (2 caps)
23 Katie Mason (Bristol) (12 caps) 

 


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