England announce 28-member squad for Women's World Cup
Rochelle Clark will play her fourth consecutive World Cup
©PA
England Women have named a 28-member squad for the upcoming 2017 World Cup to be played in Ireland in August.
The squad contains as many as the 15 players from the squad that emerged victorious against Canada in the final of the 2014 edition played in France.
The squad led by Sarah Hunter features the experienced Rachael Burford, Rochelle Clark, Tamara Taylor and Danielle Waterman as they bid to retain the title.
England are positioned in Pool B along with United States, Italy and Spain and will play all their matches at Billings Park UCD in Dublin.
Head coach Simon Middleton believes the squad has the right composure of experienced and young talents.
"We are confident we have an incredibly strong squad, made up of hugely experienced players who have featured in previous Women's Rugby World Cups and other major tournaments such as the Olympics," said Middleton.
"At the same time, we have younger players who have been involved in a Grand Slam-winning side and a successful three-Test series against some of the best teams in the world earlier this month."
England Women's squad:
Forwards: Zoe Aldcroft (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Sarah Bern (Bristol), Rochelle Clark (Worcester Valkyries), Amy Cokayne (Lichfield), Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins), Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens), Sarah Hunter (Bristol), Heather Kerr (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Justine Lucas (Lichfield), Alex Matthews (Richmond), Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield), Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol), Marlie Packer (Bristol), Abbie Scott (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks).
Backs: Rachael Burford (Harlequins), Natasha Hunt (Lichfield), Megan Jones (Bristol), La Toya Mason (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Katy Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Amber Reed (Bristol), Leanne Riley (Harlequins), Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), Emily Scott (Saracens), Lydia Thompson (Worcester Valkyries), Danielle Waterman (Bristol), Kay Wilson (Richmond), Amy Wilson Hardy (Bristol).
