Defending champions name experienced squad

The 28-player squad includes 15 players who featured in the 2014 World Cup and a remarkable four players who are to feature in their fourth consecutive World Cup with Rachael Burford, Rochelle Clark, Tamara Taylor and Danielle Waterman all included.

There are also six players also represented Great Britain at the Olympics last summer.

Sarah Hunter, who has led England through a successful year, captains the team.

England will travel to Ireland high in confidence, thanks to a strong 2017 so far. They won a Grand Slam in the Six Nations and have recently returned from New Zealand, where they beat New Zealand, Australia and Canada.

Now ranked number one in the world, the England players were awarded professional contracts earlier this year, with the early indications showing that they have significantly benefitted from the increased resources and time together.

Middleton said: “We are confident we have an incredibly strong squad, made up of hugely experienced players who have featured in previous Women's Rugby World Cups and other major tournaments such as the Olympics," said Middleton.

"At the same time, we have younger players who have been involved in a Grand Slam-winning side and a successful three-Test series against some of the best teams in the world earlier this month."

He added: "Our focus has always been on going to Ireland to win the Women's Rugby World Cup. To do that, we are going to have to give more than in any competition we've played over the past year."

England squad

Forwards: Zoe Aldcroft (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Sarah Bern (Bristol), Rochelle Clark (Worcester Valkyries), Amy Cokayne (Lichfield), Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins), Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens), Sarah Hunter (Bristol), Heather Kerr (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Justine Lucas (Lichfield), Alex Matthews (Richmond), Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield), Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol), Marlie Packer (Bristol), Abbie Scott (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks).

Backs:Rachael Burford (Harlequins), Natasha Hunt (Lichfield), Megan Jones (Bristol), La Toya Mason (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Katy Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Amber Reed (Bristol), Leanne Riley (Harlequins), Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), Emily Scott (Saracens), Lydia Thompson (Worcester Valkyries), Danielle Waterman (Bristol), Kay Wilson (Richmond), Amy Wilson Hardy (Bristol).