Ireland international lock Siobhan McCarthy will make her debut for University of Worcester Warriors against Harlequins Women in the opening Allianz Cup match of the season at Sixways on Saturday (1pm).
McCarthy arrived at Sixways over the summer after five seasons with Munster and will make her club debut in a side that includes her Ireland team-mate Jo Brown.
Wales international centre Hannah Bluck starts for the rebranded Warriors team having recovered from injury and there are two potential debutants on the bench.
England Under-18s centre Leah Brough and prop Catherine Wells are both products of the club’s thriving Centre of Excellence having progressed to the senior squad this season from Barkers’ Butts and Worcester RFC respectively.
Halfbacks Ellen Murphy and Sarah Nicholas are ruled out by injury and wing Lydia Thompson is with England preparing for next month’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
Saturdays match goes ahead as planned after Warriors met a deadline of midday Friday set by the RFU to provide assurances in relation to the receipt of a General Safety Certificate from the local authority and written confirmation of medical provision.
Matchday information for spectators can be found here
University of Worcester Warriors | 15 Cat McNane, 14 Hannah Bluck, 13 Carys Cox, 12 Megan Varley (CC), 11 Vicky Laflin, 10 Abi Kershaw, 9 Jess Kershaw, 1 Stef Evans, 2 El Febrey, 3 Flo Long, 4 Amelia Buckland, 5 Siobhan McCarthy, 6 Cara Brincat, 7 Charlotte Wright Haley, 8 Jo Brown (CC).
Replacements | 16 Carmen Tremelling, 17 Catherine Wells, 18 Elizabeth Shermer, 19 Jemima Moss, 20 Tori Sellors, 21 Leagh Brough, 22 Evie England.