WING wonder Kat Merchant and back-row dynamo Heather Fisher, who both play for Worcester, have been picked to start England’s clash with world champions New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday (4.45pm).
The game will follow on from the match between the men’s teams as part of the Investec Challenge double header and entry to the stadium is free from 4.15pm.
Merchant and Fisher’s fellow Sixways star, hooker Sam Reeve, has been named among the replacements, while former Worcester player Catherine Spencer captains the side from number eight.
Another ex-Worcester player, centre Alice Richardson, who now plays for Richmond will have to make do with a place on the bench after being dropped following last weekend’s 16-3 defeat to the Black Ferns.
England head coach Gary Street has brought in Richmond centre Rachael Burford to the starting line-up in place of Richardson, with Lichfield's Emily Scarratt moving to full-back. Saracens' Charlotte Barras also moves to the wing.
RBS 6 Nations champions England head into the match looking to avenge Saturday’s defeat and secure an all-important win against the world champions just nine months before the Rugby World Cup kicks-off in London.
Street said: "We have made some changes to freshen up our midfield, and bring something new to the table for this final clash against New Zealand.
“We learned some important lessons last week, and we know we need to be more disciplined and more effective in everything we do this Saturday. If we do that then we know we have the potential to win this game.
"Playing at Twickenham is a massive opportunity for us to show how good this side is, and how skilful women's rugby is. Certainly being at home for this crucial match is going to give us that extra five per cent on the pitch. We are relishing this opportunity."
England are without six first-choice players for the autumn series with Team Northumbria's Rochelle Clark (hand) and Katy Storie (back), Lichfield's Sarah Hunter (arm) and Sarah Beale (back), Worcester's Karen Jones (knee) and Danielle Waterman (ACL) all sidelined with injuries.
England: Scarratt (Lichfield); Merchant (Worcester), Allan, Burford (both Richmond), Barras (Saracens); McLean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Turner (Richmond); Purdy (Wasps), Garnett (Saracens), Hemming (Bristol), Essex (Richmond), McGilchrist (Wasps), Fisher (Worcester), Alphonsi (Saracens), Spencer (Bristol).
Replacements: Reeve (Worcester), Crowley (Lichfield), Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Leonard (Team Northumbria/Army), Rozario (Bristol), Richardson, Pocock (both Richmond).
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