(original post on EnglandRugby.com) England Women’s Head Coach Simon Middleton has announced his starting line-up for Saturday’s Rugby Super Series opener against the USA at Calgary Rugby Park.

Lichfield back-rower Sarah Hunter will captain a young England side that includes two potential debutants in Lark Davies and Rachael Lund, who could make their maiden international appearances debuts if called off the bench.

Amy Cockayne, Abbie Scott and Bianca Blackburn will also get the chance to get more caps under their belts after making their first Test starts in this season’s Six Nations. 

At the other end of the scale, Rochelle Clark will become England Women’s most capped player of all time with 101 caps if she joins the fray as a replacement. Hunter is joined by fellow World Cup winners Laura Keates, Marlie Packer, Ceri Large, Amber Reed and Kay Wilson in the starting line-up.

Middleton, who heads to Canada alongside Scott Bemand and Matt Ferguson in a new coaching line-up, said: “Given the tight turnaround of games in this tournament, and the fact that several of the players were involved in the Rugby Europe Sevens Grand Prix this month, squad rotation is going to be key.

“This is a really intense tournament against world class opposition so we need to ensure the players are fit and ready for each Test.

“For this game, Sarah’s experience will be invaluable in leading the team while I am really excited to see how Emily Scott goes at fly-half with Ceri Large at centre.

“We have two new caps on the bench who I know have the potential to make a real impression while Rochelle will relish getting the chance to secure 101 caps.

“We haven’t played the USA for some time but we know they will bring a lot of physicality, pace, energy and enthusiasm. This is going to be a tough opening Test match.”

Following the USA vs. England match, Canada and New Zealand will face off at 6:30 p.m. MT. The pair have released their starting rosters: View Canada here, and New Zealand here.

England Women vs. USA
15. Sarah McKenna (Saracens)
14. Kay Wilson (Thurrock)
13. Amber Reed (Bristol)
12. Ceri Large (Worcester)
11. Katie Mason (Bristol)
10. Emily Scott (Thurrock)
9. Bianca Blackburn (Worcester)

1. Vicky Cornborough (Richmond)
2. Amy Cockayne (Lichfield)
3. Laura Keates (Worcester)
4. Rowena Burnfield (Richmond)
5. Abbie Scott (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
6. Hannah Gallagher (Saracens)
7. Marlie Packer (Wasps)
8. Sarah Hunter (Lichfield)

Replacements
16. Rochelle Clark (Worcester)
17. Lark Davis (Worcester)
18. Justine Lucas (Lichfield)
19. Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
20. Alexandra Matthews (Richmond)
21. Leanne Riley (Saracens)
22. Emily Scarratt (Lichfield)
23. Rachel Lund (Worcester)

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