Bears trio to feature in World Cup semi-final

Wednesday, November 2nd 2022

Sarah Bern and Abbie Ward will start for England, whilst Lark Davies is named amongst the finishers in World Cup semi-final against Canada.

England secured their semi-final spot after an impressive win against Australia last time out, they’ll take on Canada at Eden Park on Saturday, November 5^th (3:30am UK Time live on ITV).

Hannah Botterman comes into the starting XV at loose-head prop with Amy Cokayne (hooker) and Sarah Bern (tight-head prop) making up the front row.

Zoe Aldcroft and Abbie Ward continue as lock pairing.

Lark Davies is named alongside Vickii Cornborough, Maud Muir, Rosie Galligan, Poppy Cleall, Lucy Packer, Holly Aitchison and Ellie Kildunne as a finisher.

Head coach, Simon Middleton, said: “We are very much looking forward to returning to Eden Park for this weekend’s semi-final.

“I was really pleased with our performance against Australia in what were tough conditions. The players produced a professional performance and deserve great credit.

“Canada are an opponent we know well with great pedigree and history in the women’s game. We know they are a strong side. We respect all they might bring but are focussed on our own performance.

“Our objective was to leave this country as a better squad than we arrived and to do that we need to move our game on again this week.

“If we do that and produce the level of performance we are capable of then we are confident we will get the right result.”

England matchday squad to play Canada

15. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 21 caps)
14. Abby Dow (Wasps, 29 caps)
13. Emily Scarratt (VC; Loughborough Lightning, 106 caps)
12. Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 7 caps)
11. Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 22 caps)
10. Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 44 caps)
9. Leanne Infante (Saracens, 56 caps)

1. Hannah Botterman (Saracens, 34 caps)
2. Amy Cokayne (Harlequins, 68 caps)
3. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 50 caps)
4. Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 36 caps)
5. Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 59 caps)
6. Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 54 caps)
7. Marlie Packer (Saracens, 87 caps)
8. Sarah Hunter (C; Loughborough Lightning, 138 caps)

Finishers
16. Lark Davies (Bristol Bears, 42 caps)
17. Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins, 73 caps)
18. Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 15 caps)
19. Rosie Galligan (Harlequins, 9 caps)
20. Poppy Cleall (Saracens, 61 caps)
21. Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 8 caps)
22. Holly Aitchison (Saracens, 13 caps)
23. Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 29 caps)