FOUR Worcester players have been named in head coach Gary Street’s England Women’s team for Saturday’s Six Nations clash against Italy at Esher (4.30pm).

Full-back Danielle Waterman, who scored in the opening 19-0 win over Wales on Sunday, wing Kat Merchant and prop Rochelle Clark have all kept their places in the first XV.

Front-rower Clark has been switched from loosehead to tighthead, while blindside flanker Heather Fisher has been handed her first start of the Six Nations as one of six changes made by Street.

He said: “As always, we want to give our squad as much game time as possible and this is an opportunity for us to do that. We have a strong squad, but we need to give them time on the pitch to prove what they can do.”

England ran in three tries against Wales on Sunday and kept Wales to nil, but Street, who admitted his side were a little rusty, is definitely looking for an improvement this weekend.

He added: “Italy are an ever improving side and they had a good result against Ireland last weekend, staying close at half time. They are always a tough gritty side and that is why we must make the step up on Saturday. I am looking for a real improvement, including in our attacking game and the quality of ball from the breakdown.”

England: Waterman; Merchant (both Worcester), Scarratt (Lichfield), Oliver (Bristol), Matthews (Richmond); McLean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Mason, Purdy (both Wasps), Croker (Richmond), Clark (Worcester), McGilchrist (Wasps), Burnfield (Richmond), Fisher (Worcester), Alphonsi (Saracens), Hunter (Lichfield).

Replacements: Garnett (Saracens), Hemming (Bristol), Essex (Richmond), Spencer (Bristol), Rozario (Lichfield), Burford (Richmond), Roberts (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks).

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