Burton takes centre stage for Trailfinders
TRAILFINDERS host Leicester Tigers today in an Allianz Cup seventh place play-off.
The two sides, alongside Harlequins, are battling it out for seventh spot in the competition after Quins beat Leicester 33-19 last weekend.
There are 12 changes to the starting XV that beat Sale in Trailfinders’ last game before the Six Nations break.
Promising academy graduate Imogen Wilcox makes her much-anticipated debut in the centres and will be partnering Abi Burton, who is fresh from her GB7s duty.
Lindelwa Gwala and Kira Leat start in the front row, alongside Liz Crake, who is one of three to keep their place.
It all changes in the second row, which features Shya Pinnock and Charlie Willett.
Rowena Burnfield shifts from openside to No.8, joining Amanda McQuade and Megan Barwick in a new look back row.
The half-backs are Sophie Milton and Ellie Green, who will distribute to a back three of Liz Musgrove, Sofia Rolfi and Rosie Inman. On the bench, academy graduates Thea Sylvester and Annabelle Luntz are in line for their debuts.
Leicester’s Stef Evans makes her debut, while Zoe Warrington makes her 20th club appearance to become just the 10th player in the club’s history to reach that figure.
The starting side sees two changes to the pack from last week’s outing, with Churchy Knight joining the front row, while Warrington slots back in at lock.
In the backs there’s just one change as Charlotte Daley makes her return on the wing.
TEAMS
TRAILFINDERS: Inman, Rolfi, Wilcox, Burton, Musgrove, Green, Molton; Crake, Gwala, Leat, Pinnock, Willet, McQuade, Barwick, Burnfield
Replacements: Tamai, Stock, Sylvester, Chesire, Luntz, Swords, Shiels, Laflin
LEICESTER: Swartz, Daley, Childs, Nicholas, Z Evans, Jones (c), Relf; Knight, Bainbridge, Ugiagbe, Warrington, Fray, Richardson, McBrien, Noon
Replacements: Bird, S Evans, Jones, Massey, Grimes, Moss, Draycott, Burgham
Referee: Holly Wood