England’s 2019 Grand Slam winning captain Sarah Hunter will lead the Red Roses in their first fixture since achieving Six Nations glory when they face Barbarians for an historic first encounter.
Simon Middleton’s side will face famed Baa-Baas at Twickenham on Sunday June 2 with a raft of Six Nations stars in their midst.
Hunter, who has over 12 years of international experience under her belt, will be joined in the pack by flanker Poppy Cleall and front-rower Sarah Bern.
Meanwhile in the backs Zoe Harrison will line up as fly-half with Sarah McKenna at full-back.
Facing them will be an eight-strong England contingent including the likes of Danielle Waterman, fly-half Ceri Large, lock Tamara Taylor and prop Laura Keates, who have 309 Test appearances between them and are all set for their Barbarians debuts.
Full-back Waterman was a seven-time Six Nations winner with England before retiring from international rugby last year and is in the stellar company of former Red Roses skipper Taylor and two-time Six Nations champion with Ireland, Claire Molloy.
Welsh duo Jasmie Joyce – a tryscorer in Wales’ victory over Ireland in this year’s Championship – and Elinor Snowsill have also been included in the squad to face England alongside Ireland’s deadliest weapon Sene Naoupu.
“This is the first time England have played the Barbarians and we know it will be a fantastic occasion,” said Middleton.
“The Barbarians side is really experienced with 946 caps between the players which will make the game a real challenge.
“The Red Roses want to play the best possible teams and a Barbarians side with this level of strength and depth will guarantee a testing encounter.
“Our last run out at Twickenham against Scotland in the Six Nations produced an incredibly impressive performance by the team and although we’re fielding a very changed side, with several players out due to injury, Sunday’s game will be a great opportunity for younger players to step up.
“This match is an important next step in our summer tour preparations and in the longer term as we build up to the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2021.”
England Women team to face Barbarians
15. Sarah McKenna 14. Lydia Thompson 13. Lagi Tuima 12. Amber Reed 11. Kelly Smith 10. Zoe Harrison 9. Leanne Riley
1. Hannah Botterman 2. Lark Davies 3. Sarah Bern 4. Zoe Aldcroft 5. Abbie Scott 6. Poppy Cleall 7. Jo Brown 8. Sarah Hunter (Captain)
Replacements
16. Clara Nielson 17. Ellena Perry 18. Chloe Edwards 19. Rosie Galligan 20. Rowena Burnfield 21. Natasha Hunt 22. Tatyana Heard 23. Carys Williams
Barbarians Squad to face England
15. Danielle Waterman 14. Jasmine Joyce 13. Emily Wood 12. Sene Naopou 11. Tova Derk 10. Elinor Snowsill 9. Kristina Sue
1. Rochelle Clark 2. Fiao’o Fa’Amausili 3. Steph Te Ohaere-Fox 4. Carmen Farmer 5. Dalena Dennison 6. Justine Lavea 7. Claire Molloy 8. Linda Itunu (captain)
Replacements
16. Heather Kerr 17. Laura Keates 18. Gaelle Mignot 19. Tamara Taylor 20. Georgina Gulliver 21. Hannah Casey 22. Ceri Large 23. Kayla Akhi
