Rochelle Clark stands on the verge of becoming England’s most-capped player of either gender after being selected in the women’s squad for the autumn internationals.
The prop is one cap short of Jason Leonard’s record of 114 and is likely to pass that mark when England face France, Ireland, New Zealand Canada across a 17-day period next month .
The former captains Emily Scarratt and Katy Mclean have also been selected for the 32-women squad having represented Great Britain at the Rio Olympics, at sevens, with the upcoming matches the first time England’s women team will compete since contracts for 15-a-side players in a bid to improve their chances in next year’s World Cup.
“The arrival of professional contracts for 15-a-side players means that when the players come into camp next week, we will remain together as a squad for the duration of the series,” said the coach, Simon Middleton. “While we are under no illusion as to the challenge we face, these four Tests will provide an integral part of our World Cup preparation.”
England women’s squad
Forwards Zoe Aldcroft (Darlington), Sarah Bern (Bristol), Emily Braund (Lichfield), Rochelle Clark (Worcester), Poppy Cleall (Bristol), Amy Cokayne (Lichfield), Vickii Cornborough (Aylesford), Emma Croker (Richmond), Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens), Sarah Hunter (Bristol), Justine Lucas (Lichfield), Alex Matthews (Richmond), Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield), Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol), Marlie Packer (Bristol), Laura Keates (Worcester), Tamara Taylor (Darlington). Backs Claire Allan (Saracens), Rachael Burford (n/a), Natasha Hunt (Lichfield), Megan Jones (Bristol), La Toya Mason (Darlington), Katy Mclean (Darlington), Sarah McKenna (Saracens), Fiona Pocock (Aylesford), Amber Reed (Bristol), Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), Emily Scott (Saracens), Lydia Thompson (Worcester), Danielle Waterman (Bristol), Kay Wilson (Richmond), Amy Wilson Hardy (Bristol).
Autumn international fixtures
9 Nov England v France (Twickenham Stoop)
13 Nov Ireland v England (University College, Dublin)
19 Nov England v New Zealand (Twickenham Stoop)
26 Nov England v Canada (Twickenham Stoop)
