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Street rings the changes in bid to end New Zealand trip on a high

Sarah Hunter of England
Head coach Gary Street has made seven changes as he bids to end England Women’s series in New Zealand on a high.

Head coach Gary Street has made seven changes as he bids to end England Women’s series in New Zealand on a high.

Ahead of the third and final Test against the Black Ferns England know they cannot secure a series victory – having lost both their opening encounters.

But a first victory on New Zealand soil for 12 years would at least enable the squad to return home with their head held high and Street has made seven changes, one positional, in order to do just that for Saturday’s clash at Pukekohe’s ECOLight Stadium.

Sarah Hunter will captain the side once again but this time from the No.8 position with youngster Alexandra Matthews handed her second start of the series at flanker.

Also in the pack experienced prop Rochelle Clark comes in whilst lock Tamara Taylor will start alongside Joanne McGilchrist to form a tried and tested second-row partnership.

In the backs speedster Katherine Merchant returns on the wing, as does Amber Reed in the centre, while La Toya Mason will start at scrum-half.

Street said: “We are fielding our most fresh group of players available. The players are in good spirits and have had a couple of days rehabbing and analysing the games and we are looking to finish this series on a high.

“Winning is important but actually performance is key too. A win is nice but we are building towards a World Cup.

“The key thing for me is to get that right and if they do then the result will take care of itself. Certainly learning from the last two games is paramount.

“We have got to play for the full 80 minutes to win and not just play well for periods of the game.

“New Zealand are a quality side and when we have taken our foot off the pedal in the last two tests they have made us pay. For me it is about maintaining that level of performance in this final game and that the players give everything they’ve got to get the win.”

England 15 Kay Wilson (Bristol) 14 Katherine Merchant (Worcester) 13 Amber Reed (Bristol) 12 Rachael Burford (Thurrock) 11 Michaela Staniford (Wasps) 10 Katy Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) 9 La Toya Mason (Wasps) 1 Rochelle Clark (Worcester) 2 Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield) 3 Sophie Hemming (Bristol) 4 Joanne McGilchrist (Wasps) 5 Tamara Taylor (Lichfield) 6 Alexandra Matthews (Richmond) 7 Marlie Packer (Bristol) 8 Sarah Hunter (Lichfield) (C)

Replacements: 16 Emma Croker (Richmond) 17 Laura Keates (Worcester) 18 Kate Newton (Bristol) 19 Emily Braund (Lichfield) 20 Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield) 21 Ceri Large (Worcester) 22 Francesca Matthews (Richmond) 23 Sally Tuson (Bristol)