Warriors Women duo Lydia Thompson and Alex Matthews have been named in England’s 40-player training squad ahead of the 2021 autumn internationals, which includes a fixture at Worcester’s Sixways Stadium on 21 November (kick-off 2.45pm).
The 40-player squad will assemble for the first of two preparation camps at Bisham Abbey next week, with the second camp taking place a week later before they embark on their autumn international campaign.
During that period, the Red Roses take on New Zealand, firstly at Sandy Park (Sunday 31 October, kick-off 2.30pm), before a second meeting with the Black Ferns at Franklin’s Gardens (Sunday 7 November, kick-off 2.45pm).
England then head to Twickenham Stoop to host third-ranked in the world Canada (Sunday 14 November, kick-off 2.30pm), with Sixways hosting the final fixture of the autumn.
Thompson, who is closing in on her 50th England cap, was inducted into the Mastercard World Rugby Team of the Decade last year and will be itching to rekindle her try-scoring prowess when she pulls on the Red Roses shirt.
Meanwhile, Matthews was a regular for the Red Roses last season and represented Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics and has since committed her immediate future to XVs.
Tickets for the game at Sixways Stadium between England and USA are available by clicking here.
“We have selected players on their form in the Allianz Premier 15s as well as the way players fared in our summer pre-season camps,” said England Head Coach Simon Middleton.
“We’ve got a host of potential debutants in the squad, who are there because they impressed in the league, or they’ve been on our radar for a while and have upped their game again this season.
“That’s what we wanted them to do. We wanted players to put their hand up in the league and that’s why they’ve been selected accordingly.”
All fixtures will be broadcast live on BBC Two, with Middleton adding: “The impact getting our games on terrestrial TV has is huge in terms of opening up to the wider audience and growing and promoting the game.
“You know if it’s going to be on BBC, it’ll be produced well and it’ll be a great show. The emphasis they’ve put on the women’s games that they’ve covered previously, they’ve always done a fantastic job and it’s world-class delivery.
“It can only be good for us and we’re thrilled that our matches are on the BBC.”
England Women squad for the 2021 autumn internationals
Forwards
Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 24 caps)
Sarah Beckett (Harlequins, 21 caps)
Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 36 caps)
Hannah Botterman (Saracens, 22 caps)
Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins, 24 caps)
Bryony Cleall (Wasps, 5 caps)
Poppy Cleall (Saracens, 47 caps)
Amy Cokayne (Harlequins, 57 caps)
Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins, 60 caps)
Lark Davies (Loughborough Lightning, 31 caps)
Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens, 79 caps)
Detysha Harper (Loughborough Lightning, 5 caps)*
Sarah Hunter (Loughborough Lightning, 126 caps)
Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, uncapped)*
Alex Matthews (Worcester Warriors, 41 caps)
Harriet Millar-Mills (Wasps, 62 caps)*
Maud Muir (Wasps, uncapped)*
Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 19 caps)
Marlie Packer (Saracens, 76 caps)
Connie Powell (Gloucester-Hartpury, uncapped)*
Emily Robinson (Harlequins, uncapped)*
Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 47 caps)
Backs
Holly Aitchison (Saracens, uncapped)
Jess Breach (Harlequins, 19 caps)
Heather Cowell (Harlequins, uncapped)*
Merryn Doidge (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)*
Abby Dow (Wasps, 18 caps)
Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 30 caps)
Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 15 caps)
Claudia MacDonald (Wasps, 15 caps)
Sarah McKenna (Saracens, 36 caps)
Lucy Packer (Harlequins, uncapped)*
Amber Reed (Bristol Bears, 58 caps)
Leanne Riley (Bristol Bears, 44 caps)
Flo Robinson (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)*
Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 6 caps)
Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, uncapped)*
Lydia Thompson (Worcester Warriors, 47 caps)
Lagi Tuima (Harlequins, 8 caps)
Ella Wyrwas (Saracens, uncapped)*
*denotes non-contracted player
Emily Scarratt is the final contracted player but misses the autumn period due to injury (broken leg).
ENGLAND V USA
Sunday 21 November, KO 2.45pm
Sixways Stadium, Worcester
Tickets: warriors.co.uk/tickets