MATTHEWS AND KEATES LINE-UP FOR RED ROSES

Alex Matthews and Laura Keates have both been named in the Red Roses’ matchday squad for this Saturday’s fixture against France at Twickenham (kick-off 12pm, live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer).

Matthews starts at openside flanker, while Keates is among the replacements as England look to make it two wins out of two against Les Bleus.

Crossing for a try in the previous Test in Grenoble, Matthews is set to win her 40th cap and partners Harriet Millar-Mills and Poppy Cleall in the back-row.

Meanwhile, on her 116th cap, Katy Daley-Mclean captains the side and becomes the standalone third most capped England player of all time.

The final Test of the year comes too soon for Sarah Hunter who continues her return to play.

Head coach Simon Middleton said: “All the players and staff can’t wait for Saturday in what we know will be another tough game.

“As a squad and staff group alike, we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone within the RFU family who has made this game possible, to all the supporters who have wished us well over the last few weeks and to everyone for tuning in to watch.

“We set our stall out to work hard and never give anything but our very best over this series of games.

“We really want our performances to reflect the endeavour so many people have shown and are continuing to show to keep our game on the field at such a tough time.

“We wanted to put smiles on people’s faces and we’ll be giving everything we have on Saturday to try and keep people smiling.”

England team
 
15. Ellie Kildunne (Wasps FC Ladies, 10 caps)
14. Claudia MacDonald (Wasps FC Ladies, 11 caps)
13. Lagi Tuima (Harlequins Women, 5 caps)
12. Zoe Harrison (Saracens Women, 26 caps)
11. Abby Dow (Wasps FC Ladies, 14 caps)
10. Katy Daley-Mclean (C; Sale Sharks Women, 115 caps)
9. Leanne Riley (Harlequins Women, 39 caps)
1. Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins Women, 55 caps)
2. Lark Davies (Loughborough Lightning, 27 caps)
3. Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins Women, 19 caps)
4. Abbie Ward (VC; Harlequins Women, 44 caps
5. Morwenna Talling (Loughborough Lightning, 2 caps)
6. Harriet Millar-Mills (Wasps FC Ladies, 57 caps)
7. Alex Matthews (Worcester Warriors, 39 caps)
8. Poppy Cleall (Saracens Women, 42 caps)

Replacements

16. Amy Cokayne (Harlequins Women, 52 caps)
17. Ellena Perry (Gloucester-Hartpury Women, 9 caps)
18. Laura Keates (Worcester Warriors, 61 caps)
19. Sarah Beckett (Harlequins Women, 19 caps)
20. Marlie Packer (Saracens Women, 73 caps)
21. Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury Women, 54 caps)
22. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 2 caps)
23. Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 91 caps)

NPR: Heather Kerr (Wasps FC Ladies, 23 caps)

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