England forced to change

A knee injury to Maggie Alphonsi has forced her out of the match with Wales in Cardiff on Friday night. Her place is taken by Helen Clayton.

Lois Moulding of Worcester comes onto the bench in Helen Clayton's place.

Coach Geoff Richards said: It is extremely disappointing for Maggie who has fought hard to get into the squad in recent months. However, in Helen we have a very skilled and experienced rugby player and I have no doubt that she will do a very good job when it comes to Wales on Friday. It will also be a good opportunity for Lois Moulding who impressed in our win against Wales before Christmas.

The England team: 15 Sue Day, 14 Charlotte Barras, 13 Michaela Staniford, 12 Paula George, 11 Kim Shaylor, 10 Karen Andrew, 9 Jo Yapp (captain), 8 Catherine Spencer, 7 Helen Clayton, 6 Shannon Baker, 5 Rachel Vickers, 4 Jenny Sutton, 3 Vanessa Gray , 2 Selina Rudge, 1 Rochelle Clarke.
Replacements: 16 Ann OFlynn, 17 Vanessa Huxford, 18 Karen Jones, 19 Lois Moulding, 20 Amy Turner, 21 Susie Appleby, 22 Emily Cooke

England Academy Coach, Gary Street has named a squad of 22 players for the game against Holland in Amsterdam on this Sunday, 6 February 2005.

This will be the team's second match after going down to the full Irish side in Dublin recently.

England Academy team: 15 Georgina Roberts (Clifton), 14 Natasha Fitt (Saracens), 13 Claire Allan (Worcester), 12 Ellen Small (Waterloo), 11 Amber Penrith (Worcester), 10 Alice Richardson (Worcester), 9 Harriet Slynn (Waterloo), 8 Sarah Hunter (Lichfield), 7 Jane Leonard (Thirsk), 6 Becky Essex (Worcester), 5 Natalie Binstead (Wasps), 4 Emma Dresser (captain), (Lichfield),3 Mel McKenzie (Henley), 2 Clare Steer (Henley), 1 Gemma Paul (Lichfield)
Replacements: 16 Jenny Allum (Leos), 17 Sam Dale (Earlsdon), 18 Hannah Shield (Thirsk), 19 Helen Clewer (Thirsk), 20 Alice Lovett (Lichfield), 21 Libby Fox (Clifton), 22 Joanne Watmore (Thirsk)

Referee: Johan Meersman (Belgium)
Touch judges: Joseph Verhoest, Vanbeeck (both Belgium)

The referee, Johnny Meersman, is a former international prop who speaks English happily.