World Cup Watch: Sarah Bern set to make 50th appearance

Thursday, October 27th 2022

Sarah Bern and Abbie Ward will start for England, whilst Lark Davies is named among the finishers after returning from injury to make her first appearance of the tournament.

Bern is set to make her 50th appearance in an England shirt.

The Red Roses face Australia in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in New Zealand on Sunday, October 30^th(1:30AM UK time).

Head coach, Simon Middleton, said: “We are really looking forward to this week’s quarter-final against Australia.

“England against Australia is always a huge occasion in any sport and we are looking forward to playing against a team we don’t face very often. Excitement has certainly built this week ahead of what is a massive game.

"It’s great to have Lark Davies back in the fold. She’s worked relentlessly along with our sports science department to turn a 12-week return to play into a seven-week one. In competition the ability to do this and return a player when the odds are stacked against them is invaluable and, as with Abby Dow, this once again shows the quality of the sport science support we have in the programme.

“Sarah Bern reaches 50 caps which is remarkable for someone so young. Sarah broke onto the scene at a young age and has become an integral part of our group from both a playing and leadership perspective. We’re delighted for her.”

England matchday squad to play Australia

15. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 20 caps)
14. Lydia Thompson (University of Worcester Warriors, 56 caps)
13. Emily Scarratt (VC; Loughborough Lightning, 105 caps)
12. Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 6 caps)
11. Abby Dow (Wasps, 27 caps)
10. Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 43 caps)
9. Leanne Infante (Saracens, 55 caps)

1. Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins, 72 caps)
2. Amy Cokayne (Harlequins, 67 caps)
3. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 49 caps)
4. Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 35 caps)
5. Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 58 caps)
6. Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 53 caps)
7. Marlie Packer (Saracens, 86 caps)
8. Sarah Hunter (C; Loughborough Lightning, 137 caps)

Finishers
16. Lark Davies (Bristol Bears, 41 caps)
17. Hannah Botterman (Saracens, 33 caps)
18. Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 14 caps)
19. Rosie Galligan (Harlequins, 8 caps)
20. Poppy Cleall (Saracens, 60 caps)
21. Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 7 caps)
22. Holly Aitchison (Saracens, 12 caps)
23. Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 28 caps)