‘Rookie Rugby’ events will introduce more than 10,000 girls to rugby this season, kicking off with a bumper week of large scale and school-based events around Wales.
There are two changes from the Wales side that lost to France eight days ago.
There is a new Six Nations second row partnership Natalia John returning to the starting line-up alongside Georgia Evans, and Hannah Jones returns to the centre, partnering Kerin Lake.
Coach Chris Horsman said, “We know Saturday’s Test will be a huge challenge, England are one of the best teams in the world right now, if not the best.
“We always knew this would be a challenging championship and following a tough day against France, England will certainly be no easier. However, the girls are ready to test themselves again against the best, that’s what they want to do in order to improve ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. We are fulfilling our aims of growing depth in the squad by exposing players to this level of the game.
“It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm of so many young players trying rugby activities, many of them for the first time.
“It’s a key aim of the WRU community department to grow the game for women and girls in Wales and meet the demand for more female playing opportunities along with other rugby roles. Increased numbers playing the game is certainly a key part in helping Wales to become more competitive internationally in the future.”
Wales team v England: 15. Kayleigh Powell 14. Lisa Neumann 13. Hannah Jones 12. Kerin Lake 11. Caitlin Lewis 10. Robyn Wilkins 9. Keira Bevan; 1. Gwenllian Pyrs 2. Kelsey Jones 3. Cerys Hale 4. Georgia Evans 5. Natalia John 6. Alisha Butchers 7. Bethan Lewis 8. Siwan Lillicrap (capt)
Replacements: 16. Molly Kelly 17. Cara Hope 18. Ruth Lewis 19. Gwen Crabb 20. Robyn Lock 21. Ffion Lewis 22. Hannah Bluck 23. Lauren Smyth
Email femalerugby@wru.wales or go to www.wru.wales/girlsrugby to find out about female rugby opportunities
