SIMON Middleton has banked on experience as England women begin their final preparation for the World Cup with a three- Test tour in New Zealand.
Of the 28-player squad that will travel, 14 were involved in the 2014 winning World Cup campaign and No.8 Sarah Hunter is again named as captain on the back of the Grand Slam.
Hunter and the squad will travel to New Zealand on Friday to face clashes against Australia, Canada and the Black Ferns.
The final match in Rotorua will be a curtainraiser for the British & Irish Lions game against the Maori All Blacks.
Middleton said: “With the World Cup just around the corner, this tour provides an excellent opportunity to test ourselves against some of the leading teams in the world.
“The tight turnaround of games replicates the World Cup schedule.
“The squad have been training together for the last six weeks and, while it will be important to get the travel out of their leg in time for the first game, I am looking forward to seeing players translate their hard work in training into firstclass performances.”
Emily Braund and Abbie Scott are both fit after missing the Six Nations but Middleton will have to do without Claire Allan, Poppy Cleall, Laura Keates, Fiona Pocock, and Amy Wilson Hardy who are all injured.
He said: “Sadly Laura Keates will miss the World Cup after sustaining a longterm injury in training. It is a great loss to the squad after she played such a vital role throughout the Six Nations.
“The other four players will be working hard with our excellent medical team in England to ensure they are in the best possible shape to put their hands up for World Cup selection when we return next month.
