JAPANESE TEST FOR ENGLAND AT HOME INTERNATIONALS
ENGLAND's women will be gunning for glory at the Home Internationals
in Monmouth, which start today and run until Monday (April
15-18).
The national team are using this year's four-day competition
at the Monmouth School of Girls, as their final 'serious'
tournament ahead of this summer's World Cup in Annapolis,
which runs from June 23 - July 2.
And this year will see Japan, who will also play at the World
Cup, guest at the competition in a bid to get some much-needed
match practice prior to this year's event in America.
England have entered three teams, but most noticeably will
field their strongest team for the first team ever at the
Home Internationals tournament.
In previous years England have entered sides of varying standards,
respectively, to blood youngsters, but head coach Lois Richardson
is eager for her team to impress with the World Cup less than
three months away.
England will be without attackers Charlotte Lomas (knee) and
Aisla Stott (quad), who are both out injured, but Richardson
his confident her charges will be successful.
She is particularly looking forward to playing Japan, a team
who will present a "real challenge" ahead of the
World Cup.
"The Japanese team is improving all the time, so it will
be a good test for our girls," said Richardson.
"The Home Internationals is the biggest tournament we
will play in before the World Cup, so I want us to do well.
"Winning is important but also it gives us the chance
to look at Japan and the other teams and see where we are
in relation to them."
Indeed, and Richardson has moved quickly to fill the gap left
by Lomas and Stott.
Replacements Alison Smith and Eleanor Garnier have been given
the chance to shine.
England start their campaign against Scotland today (Friday),
followed by matches against Wales (Saturday), England B on
Sunday, followed by a showdown with Japan on Monday morning.
England's B and C teams will also play Japan, with the view
of all three national teams getting as much match practice
as possible.
There will be two groups at this year's competition. England
will head Group A with Scotland, Wales, Japan and England
B also involved, while Group B will consist of England C,
Scotland B and Wales B.
The Group A competition will be played over the course of
four days, while the Group B tournament will be played on
Saturday and Sunday only.
Schedule (April 15-18)
Home Internationals Tournament (Monmouth):
Friday 15 (9.30): England B v Wales; (12.00):
England v Scotland; (2.30): England B v Japan.
Saturday 16 (9.30): Japan v Scotland, Wales
B v England C; (12.00): England v Wales; (2.30): Wales B v
England B, England C v Scotland B.
Sunday 17 (9.30): Wales v Scotland; (12.00):
England C v Japan; (2.00): Wales B v Scotland B; (2.30): England
v England B.
Monday 18 (9.30): England v Japan; (12.00):
England B v Scotland; (2.30): Japan v Wales.
England teams competing in the Home Internationals between
April 15-18, as below:
WORLD CUP SQUAD (A SQUAD)
1. Lizzy McCosh
2. Alex Harle (C)
3. Flick Hermson
4. Rachel Kirchheimer
5. Sarah Butt (C)
6. Katy Bennett
7. Alison Smith
8. Suzy Eul
9. Sophie Gapper
10.Eleanor Garnier
11.Emily Garvey
12.Justine Hunt
14.Sarah Kirchheimer
15.Lizzie Leppard
16.Lucy Lynch
25.Rachana Shetty
Head Coach - Lois Richardson
GK Coach - Annie Richards
Physio - Sian Macrae
Manager - Jo Lupton
Management - Charlotte Lomas
Management - Ailsa Stott
B SQUAD (PRESIDENTS)
2. Alice Kay
4. Bella Kiddle
5. Charlotte Hill
6. Carol Hartopp
7. Bethany Gray
8. Chris Tremelle
9. Lizzie Brown
10.Sarah Petter (C)
11.Beth Tricker
12.Gayle Vickers
13.Jess Moloney
14.Keely Watt
15.Rusty Cashman
16.Michelle Goulty
17.Charlotte Kiddle (VC)
22.Anita Thorose
Coach - Jennie Jupp
Manager - Jenny Haynes
C SQUAD
1. Lauren Banner
2. Hannah Barnsley
3. Tor Burrows
4. Cat Charman
5. Kate Davey
6. Viv Hannon
7. Natalie Krekis
8. Jo Lupton
9. Alex Nicholls
10.Lesley Nunn
11.Emma Oliver
12.Laura Pollard
13.Gill Aldcroft (C)
14.Elaine Radcliffe
15.Karina Sobczyk
16.Nicky Tilbury (C)
Coach - Lois Richardson
Manager - Lyndsay Cross
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