Rugby: Black Ferns' new caps

Five new caps have been named in the New Zealand women's rugby squad to tour England next month.

Black Ferns coach Brian Evans and assistant coach Grant Hansen yesterday included Auckland's Renee Wickcliffe, Canterbury's Amanda Murphy and Barbara Chittock, Wellington's Claire Rowat and Otago's Kelly Brazier in their 26-strong squad for the three-match tour.

They play England on November 14 and 21 and England A on November 17. The second match against England is at Twickenham.

The squad include 20 players who contested the national provincial championship final won 24-20 by Auckland over Canterbury last Saturday.

"The great thing about this Black Ferns squad to tour England is there's a solid foundation of experienced players as well as an injection of new talent into the mix," Evans said.

"These new players earned their jerseys through impressive provincial campaigns and that's a very encouraging sign as we set our sights on next year's World Cup."

* Black Ferns squad

Kelly Brazier (Otago), Olivia Coady (Canterbury), Kendra Cocksedge (Canterbury), Barbara Chittock (Canterbury), Fiao'o Faamausili (Auckland), Victoria Grant (Auckland), Victoria Heighway (Auckland), Carla Hohepa (Otago), Linda Itunu (Auckland), Emma Jensen (Auckland), Justine Lavea (Auckland), Ruth McKay (Manawatu), Rebecca Mahony (Wellington), Beth Mallard (Otago), Huriana Manuel (Auckland), Amanda Murphy (Canterbury), Karina Penetito (Auckland). Casey Robertson (Canterbury), Vita Robinson (Auckland), Claire Rowat (Wellington), Amiria Rule (Canterbury), Melissa Ruscoe (Canterbury), Stephanie TeOhaere-Fox (Canterbury), Anika Tiplady (Canterbury), Kimberly Smith (Canterbury), Renee Wickcliffe (Auckland).

- NZPA