Seven county players in women’s Six Nations squad

ENGLAND Women’s head coach Simon Middleton has named six Loughborough Lightning players in his 32-strong squad for the 2020 Six Nations.

Sapcote’s Vicky Fleetwood, who plays her rugby at Saracens, is also in the squad.

The group includes uncapped Lightning youngsters Amelia Harper and Morwenna Talling, along with the more experienced Emily Scarratt, Lark Davies, Katy Daly-McLean and Sarah Hunter.

England begin their campaign against France at Pau’s Stade du Hameau, the venue for Leicester Tigers’ recent European Challenge Cup clash with the French club.

Middleton said: “We’ve named a squad that certainly reflects not only the immense experience in the English women’s game but also some of the outstanding young talent that we are now seeing emerge from the Tyrrells Premier 15s.

“Amelia Harper is an out-and-out seven. She’s fast across the ground and fearless in the contact, that’s exactly what you need from that position. We’re really excited about seeing her play.

“Morwenna Talling has come through the Talent Development Group and broke onto the Tyrrells Premier 15s scene this season. The impact Morwenna has made in the Tyrrells league this season is nothing short of remarkable and that’s why she’s been called up to the squad.

“In terms of the overall squad, we are looking forward to seeing how this group, especially those who have emerged over the last 18 months, take the next step onto more senior roles and are pushing to be starters.

“We know we have a tough route in this year’s competition. We are missing some key players but know this presents a good opportunity for our wider squad.”

SQUAD

Backs: Jess Breach (Harlequins

Women, 10 caps); Katy Daly-McLean (Loughborough Lightning, 110 caps);

Abby Dow (Wasps FC Ladies, 9 caps); Zoe Harrison (Saracens Women, 20 caps); Natasha Hunt (GloucesterHartpury Women, 50 caps); Claudia Macdonald (Wasps FC Ladies, 8 caps); Sarah McKenna (Saracens

Women, 28 caps); Amber Reed

(Bristol Bears Women, 51 caps); Leanne Riley (Harlequins Women, 34 caps); Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 85 caps); Emily Scott (Harlequins Women, 35 caps); Kelly Smith (Gloucester-Hartpury, 13 caps);

Lydia Thompson (Worcester Warriors Women, 45 caps); Millie Wood (Gloucester-Hartpury, 8 caps).

Forwards: Zoe Aldcroft (GloucesterHartpury Women, 16 caps); Sarah

Beckett (Harlequins Women, 13 caps); Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears Women, 31 caps); Hannah Botterman (Saracens

Women, 17 caps); Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins Women, 12 caps); Rowena Burnfield (Richmond FC, 49 caps); Bryony Cleall (Saracens Women, 1 cap); Poppy Cleall (Saracens Women, 36 caps); Amy Cockayne (Harlequins Women/RAF, 46 caps); Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins Women, 49 caps); Lark Davies (Loughborough Lightning, 22 caps); Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens Women, 72 caps); Amelia Harper (Loughborough Lightning, 0

caps); Sarah Hunter (Loughborough Lightning, 119 caps); Heather Kerr (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 22

caps); Harriet Millar-Mills (Wasps FC Ladies, 51 caps); Abbie Scott (Harlequins Women, 42 caps);

Morwenna Talling (Loughborough).