WORCESTER rugby stars Joanne Yapp and Nicola Crawford have kept their places amid a string of changes in England Women's side.

The duo will both start on Saturday in the continuing bid for Six Nations glory against Spain at the La Ciudad Universitaria in Madrid.

But, in a handful of changes, Wasps fly-half Shelley Rae starts her first England game for more than a year.

Head coach Geoff Richards is looking to match last year's impressive 76-0 win over the Spaniards.

Richards said: "I have made some changes to the starting line-up.

"This is because we want to give the whole squad game time and also because I have got confidence in all of our players to give them a go in the Six Nations.

"I am looking for a big step-up this Saturday against Spain. We blew some cobwebs away against Wales but we need another improved performance."

England beat Wales 38-15 with Crawford on the scoresheet.

Team: Huxford (Wasps), Garnett (Saracens), Gray (Wasps), Sutton (Richmond), Vickers (Richmond), Stevens (Clifton), Clayton (Saracens), Taylor (Thirsk), Yapp (Worcester), Rae (Wasps), Barras (Lichfield), Turner (Wasps), Staniford (Henley), Crawford (Worcester), Day (Wasps). Replacements: Rudge (Wasps), Clark (Henley), Spencer (Folkestone), Alphonsi (Saracens), Waterman (Henley), Andrew (Saracens), Oliver (Clifton).

Meanwhile, Worcester's Rebecca Essex, Lois Moulding, Alice Richardson and Amber Penrith will all play for England 'A' against Italy at Imber Court on Sunday (2.30pm). Team-mate Claire Allen is a replacement.