Lauren Cattell earns England Women recall to face Italy Women
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By Sky Sports Rugby
Last Updated: 04/02/18 5:25pm
Saracens Women centre Lauren Cattell will earn her first cap for England since 2016, after she was named at outside-centre by England Women head coach Simon Middleton in his squad to take on Italy on Sunday.
Cattell last featured for England against the USA in 2016, but is named alongside Harlequins ladies centre Rachael Burford in the midfield.
Leanne Riley (Harlequins Ladies) and Katy Daley-Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) will play nine and ten, while Ellie Kildunne (Gloucester-Hartpury) starts at full-back with Wasps FC Ladies duo Abigail Dow and Danielle Waterman on the wings.
Rochelle Clark (Wasps FC Ladies), Lark Davies (Worcester Valkyries) - who makes her first international start for England - and Sarah Bern (Gloucester-Hartpury) make up the front row. Abbie Scott (Harlequins Ladies) joins Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) who is set to earn her 112th cap for England, in the second row.
In the back row, Red Roses captain Sarah Hunter (Loughborough Lightning) starts at No 8 with Marlie Packer (Saracens Women) named at open side and Poppy Cleall (Saracens Women) included at blindside flanker.
Rugby World Cup finalists, Amy Cokayne (Wasps FC Ladies), Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins Ladies), Justine Lucas (Wasps FC Ladies), Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol Ladies) are named as finishers alongside Zoe Harrison (Saracens Women), Caity Mattinson (Bristol Ladies) and Rowena Burnfield (Richmond FC).
Newly appointed elite player squad member Charlotte Pearce (Loughborough Lightning) is also named on the bench and could earn her first international cap.
Simon Middleton said: "The squad are ready for what will be a physical test against Italy. We know they can be unpredictable in how they play and have a well organised set piece. We have prepared well, with all players training at a consistently high standard throughout camp.
"With the depth and quality of players we have in the squad, we could have opted for a number of combinations with selection, but we have always said we would be selecting on form and have stayed true to that. We have full confidence this side can deliver a win on Sunday."
England and Bristol Ladies players Amber Reed and Lagi Tuima were both unavailable for selection. Tuima will miss the opening game through an injury (ankle) she came into camp with, while Reed has also sustained a longer-term injury (ankle). Both are expected to feature at a later stage in the tournament.
England beat Italy 56-13 the last time they met in the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup pool stages.
England Women team to play Italy: 15 Ellie Kildunne, 14 Abigail Dow, 13 Lauren Cattell, 12 Rachael Burford, 11 Danielle Waterman, 10 Katy Daley-McClean, 9 Leanne Riley; 1 Rochelle Clark, 2 Lark Davies, 3 Sarah Bern, 4 Abbie Scott, 5 Tamara Taylor, 6 Poppy Cleall, 7 Marlie Packer, 8 Sarah Hunter (c).
Replacements: 16. Amy Cokayne, 17 Vickii Cornborough, 18. Justine Lucas, 19 Rowena Burnfield, 20 Izzy Noel-Smith, 21 Caity Mattinson, 22 Zoe Harrison, 23 Charlotte Pearce.
Tune in to Sky Sports Arena and Mix from 5.25pm on Sunday to catch England Women take on Italy Women at the Stadio Mirabello, Reggio Emilia in the Six Nations.