Scarratt selected to face France

Emily Scarratt, the World Rugby Player of the Year, has been named in the England Women squad for the opening autumn Test against France on Saturday – despite this week travelling home from Japan, where she collected her award.

Coach Simon Middleton also selected Heather Kerr (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) and Ellena Perry (Gloucester-hartpury), who join the squad following their impressive starts to the Tyrrells Premier 15s season.

Neither is on a full-time contract with the Rugby Football Union.

After scoring seven tries in Wasps FC Ladies’ opening six fixtures, Abby Dow, who is on a part-time agreement, is also included.

Meanwhile, Detysha Harper, who featured for England Under-20s in this summer’s Tri-nations Cup, will travel as a non-playing reserve to further her development.

The group will assemble at Bisham Abbey today before flying to France tomorrow.

England face France at Stade Marcel Michelin, Clermont, on Saturday before hosting them in their Quilter International at Sandy Park, Exeter, the following weekend.

They cap off their autumn series with a second Quilter International against Italy at Goldington Road, Bedford on Nov 23. Middleton said: “We’ve had a couple of strong training camps over the last few weeks at which we’ve moved our game on significantly.

“We’ve said all along, although we have 28 contracted players, we have a wider pool of players to select from in the Tyrrells Premier 15s and wherever possible we will pick on form. That’s exactly what we’ve done.

“Outside of New Zealand, France is one of the toughest places to go and play.

“We play them away again in our opening match at next year’s Six Nations so it’ll be a good marker of where we are.”