England Women confirm matchday squad for Super Series clash against USA

England Women head coach Simon Middleton has confirmed the matchday squad for the opening game of the Super Series against USA to be played in San Diego on Friday.

Claudia Macdonald will make her first start for the red rose team after making impact from the bench on four occasions while prop Chloe Edwards and hooker Clara Nielson are set to make their debut after being named in the replacements.

With Sarah Hunter unavailable, Abbie Scott will lead the side and Amber Reed is set to make her 50th appearance for England.

“We’ve had a good acclimatisation period and we are happy that we managed to get the volume of rugby we had hoped under our belt going into this first game,” said Middleton.

“I think we’ll find, like all of the teams, performances should improve as you go through the tournament as both the individuals and the teams settle into a rhythm.

"For us there are quite a few new combinations and less experienced players in this team so we’ve got to understand it will not be the finished article.

"Having said that, we have a level of expectation against all of our performances and the players know exactly what is expected of them".

Following the game against USA, England will also face Canada, France and New Zealand.

England XV: McKenna; Thompson, Scarratt, Reed, Smith; Harrison, Macdonald; Perry, Kerr, Bern, Aldcroft, Scott, Brown, Packer, Cleall.

Reserves: Nielson, Botterman, Edwards, O'Donnell, Beckett, Hunt, Wood, Williams.