England A Women’s squad for European Championship
by Julia Hutton
April 3rd, 2007
Wasps’ Shelley Rae will lead England Women A in the Women’s European Championship in Madrid later this month.
Rae, who led England A to a win over France and a narrow defeat to the Nomads last month, will skipper England A as they compete in the seven day tournament, which kicks-off on April 28th. The Red Roses take on Russia, Italy and Spain who are all in Pool A. The team finishing top of the pool will play the team that tops group B, which could either be France, Wales, the Netherlands or Sweden, for the title in the final. There are also play-offs from 3rd place down to eighth.
England A will also be boosted by the addition of 2006 Rugby World Cup finalists Rochelle Clark (Henley), Kim Oliver (Clifton) and Michaela Staniford (Wasps). After suffering injuries post world cup Clark and Oliver are using the tournament to get more game time under their belts. Clark will also act as vice-captain for the team.
The squad also includes Clifton’s Sophie Hemming, Richmond’s Emma Layland, Lichfield’s Sarah Hunter, Leos’ Sarah Beale, Thirk’s Katy McLean and Cardiff Quins’ Amber Penrith, who all featured in this season’s Grand Slam winning RBS Women’s 6 Nations championship.
England A head coach Amanda Bennett said: “This is going to be a very exciting tournament. Last time we competed we reached the final, only to lose by a point against France.
“We are obviously going out to Spain to do our best and experienced players like Rochelle, Kim, Michaela and Shelley will certainly add that vital ingredient. However, this tour is also about development and it will certainly prove to be vital experience for many of the players in this squad.”
England A will play Russia on the opening day of fixtures on Saturday April 28th, Italy on April 30th and Spain on May 2nd. The play-off games will be played on May 5th.
England A
1 Sophie Hemming Clifton
2 Rochelle Clark (VC) Henley
3 Katie Smith Richmond
4 Roz Crowley Lichfield
5 Samantha Dale Worcester
6 Emma Layland Richmond
7 Becky Essex Richmond
8 Emma Dresser Lichfield
9 Natalie Binstead Wasps
10 Sonia Green Saracens
11 Jane Leonard Wasps
12 Leah Carey Lichfield
13 Sarah Hunter Lichfield
14 Sarah Beale Leos
15 Harriet Slynn Richmond
16 Georgina Rosario Plymouth Albion
17 Shelley Rae (C) Wasps
18 Katy McLean Thirsk
19 Michaela Staniford Wasps
20 Kim Oliver Clifton
21 Georgina Roberts Thirsk
22 Katherine Merchant Worcester
23 Fiona Pocock Richmond
24 Amber Penrith Cardiff Quins
25 Jo Watmore Thirsk
26 Vicky Jackson Lichfield
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