TN’s Brown gets England call
NORTHUMBRIA University women’s rugby union captain Jo Brown has been named in the latest England senior squad ahead of two friendly clashes against South Africa.
The forward - who plays her club rugby for Darlington Mowden Park - has been named in a 43-strong squad meeting at Bisham Abbey today.
A select group of players will remain in camp to take part in two international training games against South Africa on October 18 and October 22 in Aldershot.
The camp will be the first time the squad has gathered together since the Women’s Rugby World Cup and is the start of preparations for the Old Mutual Wealth Series, which will see England play Canada in three Tests - the first on November 17 at Allianz Park.
Red Roses’ head coach Simon Middleton said: “This year we are bringing together an extended training squad of 43 players with the objective being twofold.
“Firstly, it allows us to select the strongest squad for the upcoming season and secondly we can give new talent invaluable playing opportunities as part of an international training team in games against South Africa.
“Off the back of the training camp and games we will reduce the extended training squad numbers and name an Elite Player Squad squad, which we feel is the right for the upcoming season.
“We are excited about the new, young players coming into camp for the first time.
“We know and have seen players in the past who have made unbelievable gains when you get them in the right environment at the right time.
“In the long term we are working towards our objective to build and prepare a squad with real depth for the next Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2021.”