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Simon Middleton has named his matchday squad for their opening game against France.
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The Red Roses begin their Six Nations campaign immediately after the men at Twickenham
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Tamara Taylor will make her 99th international appearance
England Women head coach Simon Middleton has named his matchday squad for their opening game of the 2017 Six Nations against France.
The Red Roses get their championship underway immediately after the men at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday 4 February, kicking off at 7.35pm live on Sky Sports Mix.
#REDROSES | Your England Women’s team to face France on Saturday 🌹
K.O 19:35 GMT, LIVE on @SkySports Mix
Preview: https://t.co/edkLky6VBg pic.twitter.com/Mnmgt3HNiD
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 1, 2017
Darlington Mowden Park second row Tamara Taylor will make her 99th international appearance in what will be her 10th Six Nations campaign while Amy Wilson Hardy returns to 15s after a stint in sevens, including representing Team GB in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Bristol centre Amber Reed makes the starting line up having missed the Old Mutual Wealth Series through injury while Richmond flanker Alex Matthews is a notable absentee having been ruled out because of concussion.
Head Coach Simon Middleton said: “With 994 international caps between them, this is a strong England squad with a wealth of experience.
“Preparation has been good, having had 10 days training as a group already. We feel ready to take on France, a side we know well.
“Moles”, “Double-chins”, “Beaks”…
The #RedRoses show off their sculpting skills in today’s #O2InsideLine 🌹 #WearTheRose pic.twitter.com/nHqMU4Cdq8— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) January 31, 2017
“The Six Nations is an exciting and competitive tournament and we look forward to getting the campaign underway in front of a home crowd at Twickenham.”
The two sides have faced each other twice since last year’s Six Nations, which was won by France following a championship decider between the two sides in Vannes.
A last-gasp try in the Women’s Rugby Super Series allowed England to exact revenge on their Six Nations loss in Salt Lake City last summer, running out 17-13 winners before following up with a 10-5 victory at the Twickenham Stoop in the opening game of the Old Mutual Wealth Series in November.
Entrance to England Women v France at Twickenham on Saturday is free following the conclusion of the men’s game.