Laura Keates and Alex Matthews have been named in the Red Roses’ 30-player training squad for this weekend’s autumn international against France.
Matthews retains her place in the squad, having helped the Red Roses clinch back-to-back Grand Slams with victory in Italy just over a week ago, while experienced front-row Keates returns to the England fold following a series of impressive displays for Warriors Women in the Allianz Premier 15s.
Keates made her full international debut back in 2011, and like Matthews, she was part of the squad that went on to win the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup. Racking up 60 England caps, Keates has been at Sixways since 2005 after stints at Greyhound RFC and Hereford Wyeside.
Lydia Thompson has been ruled out after sustaining an injury during Saturday’s Round 4 Allianz Premier 15s at Exeter Chiefs Women.
Keates and Matthews will join up with the squad at Bisham Abbey today, before flying to France for Saturday’s match in Grenoble (kick-off 1.15pm).
“We are really pleased for Laura and Alex following their selection in the Red Roses’ training squad,” said Warriors Women Director of Rugby Jo Yapp.
“Both players have been in good form for us so far this season, and I’m particularly pleased to see Laura returning to the squad.”The matchday squad will be named on Thursday.
Head Coach Simon Middleton said: “We were absolutely delighted to win the Grand Slam in Italy.
“This is a group that’s trained really well and we’re pleased with how we’re progressing. Training is competitive and that was reflected in our performance over in Italy.
“Our focus now moves onto the game against France on Saturday.
“While we have a number of absentees, we have real strength-in-depth as shown in our training squad selection.
“We’re looking forward to two days of preparation before heading out to France later this week.”
Training squad
Forwards
Sarah Beckett (Harlequins Women, 18 caps)
Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins Women, 18 caps)
Abi Burton (Wasps FC Ladies, 0 caps)
Poppy Cleall (Saracens Women, 41 caps)
Amy Cokayne (Harlequins Women, 51 caps)
Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins Women, 54 caps)
Lark Davies (Loughborough Lightning, 26 caps)
Detysha Harper (Loughborough Lightning, 2 caps)
Sarah Hunter (Loughborough Lightning, 123 caps)
Laura Keates (Worcester Warriors, 60 caps)
Heather Kerr (Wasps FC Ladies, 23 caps)
Alex Matthews (Worcester Warriors, 37 caps)
Harriet Millar-Mills (Wasps FC Ladies, 56 caps)
Marlie Packer (Saracens Women, 72 caps)
Morwenna Talling (Loughborough Lightning, 1 cap)
Abbie Ward (Harlequins Women, 43 caps)
Backs
Holly Aitchison (Saracens Women, 0 caps)
Jess Breach (Harlequins Women, 14 caps)
Katy Daley-Mclean (Sale Sharks Women, 115 caps)
Abby Dow (Wasps FC Ladies, 13 caps)
Zoe Harrison (Saracens Women, 24 caps)
Megan Jones (Wasps FC Ladies, 9 caps)
Ellie Kildunne (Wasps FC Ladies, 9 caps)
Claudia MacDonald (Wasps FC Ladies, 10 caps)
Amber Reed (Bristol Bears Women, 58 caps)
Leanne Riley (Harlequins Women, 37 caps)
Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 1 cap)
Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 90 caps)
Kelly Smith (Gloucester-Hartpury Women, 13 caps)
Lagi Tuima (Harlequins Women, 5 caps)