WORCESTER number eight Catherine Spencer leads England women in their RBS Six Nations opener against Wales at London Irish on Saturday.

Defending champions England are looking for an unprecedented third Grand Slam victory in Six Nations history. Worcester's Katherine Merchant is a replacement.

England: Barras (Saracens); Waterman (Clifton), Allan (Saracens), Burford (Saracens), Stanifoed (Wasps); McLean (Darlington), Turner (Richmond); Clark (Henley), Garnett (Saracens), Storie (Blaydon), Taylor (Darlington), McGilchrist (Wasps), Hunter (Lichfield), Alphonsi (Saracens), Spencer (Worcester). Replacements: Layland (Richmond), Hemming (Clifton), Beale (Leos), Leonard (Wasps/Army), Richardson (Richmond), Merchant (Worcester), Massarella (Saracens).

Meanwhile, former Worcester flanker Jake Abbott, now with Stourbridge, inspired North Midlands to a 43-15 win over Warwickshire in the Under 20s Championship at Broadstreet.

Abbott scored a hat-trick of tries, while Moseley wing Sam Yarwood bagged a brace.

Worcester lock Jack Clark made a solid contribution in the pack and left wing Jon Hines scored the fifth try.

Bromsgrove School's Joel Dudley was in a Midlands and London XV Under 16s side that lost 30-10 to a London and South West outfit.