Strong England team named

The team selected have 689 caps between team with Northumbria prop Rochelle Clark earning her 50th cap also. In total seven members of the starting line-up competed in the 2006 world cup which saw England narrowly lose in the final to reigning world champions New Zealand.

Danielle Waterman who missed the entire season through injury is back in the starting lineup while Charlotte Barras is back on the bench after her injury absence.

England Head Coach Gary Street said: The prospect of playing our first game is really exciting. We know our preparations have been excellent and now we are just looking forward to kicking off our world cup campaign.

This is a strong squad, as the number of caps highlights, and the important thing for me is that we have never deviated from making sure we have had their strength from one to 26.

England last played Ireland in the RBS 6 Nations and inflicted a 22-5 defeat on the Irish before winning the Grand Slam. .

Street added: We know this is going to be a very competitive opener in front of a large audience both here at Guildford and on Sky Sports. Ireland have got some good forwards and some skilful backs. They are also very competitive in the line out. We are certainly expecting this to be a tough opener, but at the same time we are confident in our ability.

England team to play Ireland:

Danielle Waterman, Katherine Merchant, Emily Scarratt, Rachael Burford, Fiona Pocock, Katy McLean, Amy Turner, Rochelle Clark, Amy Garnett, Sophie Hemmin, Becky Essex, Jo McGilchrist, Heather Fisher, Margaret Alphons, Catherine Spencer

Replacements:Emma Crocker, Claire Purdy Tamara Taylor, Sarah Hunter, La Toya Mason, Alice Richardson, Charlotte Barras Saracens

Image: The two captains pictured this week. (c) Ilona O'Donnell