Cattell back for Red Roses’ Italian job

SARACENS centre Lauren Cattell will earn her first cap for England since 2016 after she was named at outside-centre by head coach Simon Middleton in his squad to take on Italy today.

Cattell last featured for England against the USA, but is named alongside Harlequins centre Rachael Burford in the midfield.

England beat Italy 56-13 the last time they met in the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup pool stages.

Middleton said: “The squad are ready for what will be a physical test. We know they can be unpredictable in how they play and have a well organised set piece.

“With the depth and quality of players we have in the squad, we could have opted for a number of combinations with selection, but we have always said we would be selecting on form and have stayed true to that.

“We have full confidence this side can deliver a win on Sunday.”

The Red Roses won 15 of 16 games in 2017 including their Six Nations Grand Slam and are ranked the second best team in the world going into this year’s competition.

With that in mind, Middleton knows they will be targeted as favourites by the other teams.

“We had a successful year last year where we won the Six Nations and we got to the World Cup final. We also had a great tour in New Zealand, so teams are going to gun for you and we’d be doing exactly the