Valkyries pair Lark Davies and Lydia Thompson have been named in the England Women’s squad for the three-Test Quilter Internationals next month.
Winger Thompson, a Women’s World Cup winner in 2014, returns to the squad after a spell playing for the England Sevens during which she won a Commonwealth Games bronze medal in Australia last year. Thompson last played in a 15-a-side international in the 2017 World Cup.
Hooker Davies, the Valkyries captain in the Tyrrells Premier 15s, has won ten England caps in four seasons including her first-ever start in last season’s Six Nations against Italy.
There are seven uncapped players in the Red Roses 28-strong squad which will again be led by long-time 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.
England head coach Simon Middleton said: “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.”
England play USA at Allianz Park on November 9 (7.45pm), Canada at Doncaster on November 18 (2pm) and Ireland at Twickenham on November 24 (5.40pm)
England Women squad:
Forwards
Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Sarah Beckett (Firwood Waterloo Ladies)
Jo Brown (Loughborough Lightning)
Hannah Botterman (Saracens Women)
Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins Ladies)
Poppy Cleall (Saracens Women)
Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins Ladies)
Lark Davies (Worcester Valkyries)
Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens Women)
Sarah Hunter (Loughborough Lightning)
Heather Kerr (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
Ellie Mulhearn (Bristol Bears)
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 Women)
Leanne Riley (Harlequins Ladies)
Kelly Smith (Gloucester-Hartpury)
Lydia Thompson (Worcester Valkyries)
Carys Williams (Loughborough Lightning)