Six Saracens set to start for Red Roses

Saracens Women are set to make up over a third of the England Women starting XV when they face Italy Women on Saturday 23 November at Goldington Road, Bedford (KO 15H00).

Hannah Botterman, Marlie Packer, Zoe Harrison and Sarah McKenna retain their spots in the starting line-up while Poppy Cleall and Vicky Fleetwood come in at second row and openside flanker respectively.

Packer and Harrison have positional changes with the former moving to blindside flanker and the latter to fly-half.

Cleall is continuing to follow a graduated return to play protocol after sustaining a concussion in last Saturday’s last-gasp victory over France at Sandy Park and is expected to be fit.

Head Coach Simon Middleton said: “We’re really looking forward to the first ever Red Roses match in Bedford. It’s a traditional rugby club with a fantastic ground and fanbase who are so passionate and love their rugby.

“The game is a big opportunity for those who have been waiting in the wings this series to show us what they can do and help end our calendar year strongly."

Starters

15 Sarah McKenna (Saracens Women – 27 caps)

14 Abby Dow (Wasps FC Ladies –8 caps)

13 Emily Scarratt (VC) (Loughborough Lightning – 84 caps)

12 Emily Scott (Harlequins Women – 34 caps)

11 Claudia Macdonald (Wasps FC Ladies – 7 caps)

10 Zoe Harrison (Saracens Women – 19 caps)

9 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury Women – 49 caps)

1 Hannah Botterman (Saracens Women – 16 caps)

2 Heather Kerr (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks – 21  caps)

3 Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins Women – 12 caps)

4 Poppy Cleall (Saracens Women – 35 caps)

5 Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury Women – 15 caps)

6 Marlie Packer (Saracens Women – 70 caps)

7 Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens Women – 71 caps)

8 Sarah Hunter (C) (Loughborough Lightning – 118 caps)

Finishers

16 Amy Cokayne (Harlequins Women/RAF – 45 caps)

17 Ellena Perry (Gloucester-Hartpury Women – 9 caps)

18 Sarah Bern  (Bristol Bears Women – 30 caps)

19 Sarah Beckett  (Harlequins Women – 12 caps)

20 Rownita Marston (Bristol Bears Women – 1 cap)

21 Leanne Riley (Harlequins Women – 33 caps)

22 Katy Daley-Mclean  (Loughborough Lightning – 109 caps)

23 Jess Breach (Harlequins Women – 9 caps)

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