Four players recalled to England squad

England Women’s head coach Simon Middleton has recalled four players to his 33-player squad for the Six Nations.
Bianca Blackburn (Worcester Valkyries), Lark Davies (Worcester Valkyries), Heather Kerr (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) and Leanne Riley (Aylesford Bulls) all return to the squad after missing out on selection in the autumn while Claire Allan (Saracens), Emily Braund (Lichfield) and Abbie Scott (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) are notable absentees through injury.
Darlington Mowden Park Sharks second-row forward Tamara Taylor will be looking to gain her 100th international appearance, entering the tournament just two short of the landmark. Amber Reed (Bristol) and Sarah McKenna (Saracens) are also named after time out through injury.
“This is a huge year and we now have a squad training full time,” said Middleton. “Our preparation is based around a world-class programme and the Six Nations forms a key milestone ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in August.
“There is strength and depth in this squad and, while we will be taking one week at a time and working to build through the tournament, our ambition is to win the Six Nations trophy.”
It has also been confirmed that Sky Sports will broadcast all five of England Women’s 2017 Six Nations fixtures.
England squad
Forwards: Zoe Aldcroft (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Sarah Bern (Bristol), Rochelle Clark (Worcester Valkyries), Poppy Cleall (Bristol), Amy Cokayne (Lichfield), Vickii Cornborough (Aylesford Bulls), Lark Davies (Worcester Valkyries), Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens), Sarah Hunter (Bristol), Laura Keates (Worcester Valkyries), Heather Kerr (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Justine Lucas (Lichfield), Alex Matthews (Richmond), Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield), Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol), Marlie Packer (Bristol), Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
Backs: Bianca Blackburn (Worcester Valkyries), Rachael Burford (Aylesford Bulls), Natasha Hunt (Lichfield), Megan Jones (Bristol), La Toya Mason (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Sarah McKenna (Saracens), Katy Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Fiona Pocock (Aylesford Bulls), Amber Reed (Bristol), Leanne Riley (Aylesford Bulls), Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), Emily Scott (Saracens), Lydia Thompson (Worcester Valkyries), Danielle Waterman (Bristol), Kay Wilson (Richmond), Amy Wilson Hardy (Bristol)
England Women Six Nations fixtures:
England v France
Saturday 4 February, KO 7.35pm, live on Sky Sports Mix
Twickenham stadium
Wales v England
Saturday 11 February, KO 11am, live on Sky Sports 3
Cardiff Arms Park
England v Italy
Saturday 25 February, KO 1pm, live on Sky Sports 2
Twickenham Stoop
England v Scotland
Saturday 11 March, KO 1pm, coverage delayed until 8pm on Sky Sports 2
Twickenham Stoop
Ireland v England
Friday 17 March, KO 8pm, live on Sky Sports Mix
Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin