England name team for Women's Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand
Friday 25 August 2017 19:22, UK
England Women head coach Simon Middleton has made one change to the starting 15 who will face New Zealand in Saturday's Women's Rugby World Cup final at Kingspan Stadium.
Megan Jones, who scored the winning try in Tuesday's semi-final victory over France to book the Red Roses' place in their fifth consecutive World Cup final, starts at outside centre alongside Rachael Burford.
Emily Scarratt, who kicked 10 points against France to become England Women record points scorer with 424, is named at full-back.
In the backs, Kay Wilson and Natasha Hunt will play in their second World Cup final while Katy Mclean competes in her third, starting at fly-half. Wing Lydia Thompson makes her debut in a World Cup final after having her 2014 campaign cut short due to injury.
The forwards remain unchanged with Sarah Bern starting alongside Vickii Cornborough and Amy Cokayne in the front row. Playing in her fourth World Cup final, Tamara Taylor remains in the second row with Abbie Scott. The backrow sees Alex Matthews and Marlie Packer retain their starting positions, with Sarah Hunter captaining the side at No 8.
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Meanwhile finishers Vicky Fleetwood, Justine Lucas, Izzy Noel-Smith and Harriet Millar-Mills join four-time World Cup veteran Rocky Clark on the bench, with backs La Toya Mason and Amber Reed joined by Amy Wilson Hardy, who returns to the bench.
Praising the confidence he has in his players, Middleton said: "Our goal was to get to this point in the tournament, using the full breadth of the squad and rotating players to ensure we were in the best possible position to peak on Saturday.
"The strength in depth of this squad and the quality across all 28-players has meant we have been able to do just that.
"We have full confidence in this squad. As a group they have consistently delivered quality performances throughout the tournament. It's now about finishing the job and leaving nothing out on the field come Saturday."
England team to face New Zealand: Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), Lydia Thompson (Worcester Valkyries), Megan Jones (Bristol), Rachael Burford (Harlequins Ladies) , Kay Wilson (Richmond) , Katy Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) , Natasha Hunt (Lichfield), Sarah Hunter (Bristol), Marlie Packer (Bristol), Alex Matthews (Richmond), Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) , Abbie Scott (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) , Sarah Bern (Bristol) , Amy Cokayne (Lichfield), Vickii Cornbrough (Harlequins Ladies)
Replacements: Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens), Rochelle Clark (Worcester Valkyries), Justine Lucas (Lichfield), Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield), Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol), La Toya Mason (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Amber Reed (Bristol), Amy Wilson Hardy (Bristol)
