RED ROSES SQUAD FEATURES TWENTY TASS ALUMNA

As the recently re-branded Red Roses shine a spotlight on women’s rugby, TASS celebrates the role they’ve played in developing twenty of the team.

England Women Head Coach Simon Middleton has announced his 32-player squad for the Old Mutual Wealth Series, with two thirds of the players being TASS alumna.

Nicky Ponsford, RFU Head of Women’s Performance, said:

“The fact that 20 out of the 32 players in the England squad for the Old Mutual Wealth Series received support from TASS shows how much of an impact the scheme has had on women’s rugby in this country.

The scheme has hugely valuable in helping players on their path to elite rugby.”

The Red Roses’ team also features seven names who represented Team GB in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, including Emily Scarratt, Katy Mclean and Danielle Waterman, who have now returned to the 15-a-side programme.

The squad will play against France, New Zealand and Canada with an away fixture against Ireland in November.

Simon Middleton said: “This season is all about building towards the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland next August. In the Old Mutual Wealth Series, we have the opportunity to take on the best sides in the world.

We have a first-class squad of players and have a number of options and combinations to choose from.”

The Red Roses will get underway against France at Twickenham Stoop on Wednesday 9 November (KO 7.45pm, live on Sky Sports).

TASS alumna in the Old Mutual Wealth Series squad:

Zoe Aldcroft (2015/16)
Sarah Bern (2015/16)
Poppy Cleall (2010/11)
Vickii Cornborough (2006/10)
Vicky Fleetwood (2006/10)
Sarah Hunter (2007/10)
Alex Matthews (2011/12)
Harriet Millar-Mills (2008/11)
Izzy Noel-Smith (2007/09)
Marlie Packer (2006/08 & 2009/10)
Laura Keates (2004/06 & 2007/09)
Claire Allan (2005/06)
Natasha Hunt (2007/10)
Sarah McKenna (2005/07 & 2012/13)
Fiona Pocock (2005/08)
Amber Reed (2008/11)
Emily Scarratt (2006/2008)
Emily Scott (2008/13)
Kay Wilson (2009/10)
Amy Wilson Hardy (2007/12)

Old Mutual Wealth Series

England v France, Wednesday 9 November
The Twickenham Stoop, KO 7.45pm

Ireland v England, Sunday 13 November*
University College Dublin, KO 2pm *Not part of Old Mutual Wealth Series

England v New Zealand, Saturday 19 November
The Twickenham Stoop, KO 12pm

England v Canada, Saturday 26 November
Twickenham, KO 5.05pm
FREE entry after the conclusion of the men’s game