Defending champions England have named a squad boasting more than 1,000 test caps for Women's Rugby World Cup 2017, which takes place in Ireland from 9-26 August.

For centre Rachael Burford, the world's most-capped female player Rochelle Clark, second-row and fellow test centurion Tamara Taylor and full-back Danielle Waterman it will be their fourth appearance in the showpiece tournament.
 
World Rugby Women's Player of the Year 2016 Sarah Hunter will captain the side, having led the Red Roses to their first Six Nations Grand Slam since 2012 earlier this year, with Team GB captain from Rio 2016 Emily Scarratt (pictured) her vice-captain.
 
Fifteen members of the 28-strong squad were part of England's WRWC 2014-winning side in France, while Natasha Hunt, Katy Mclean, Emily Scott, Waterman and Amy Wilson-Hardy also played for Great Britain in the Olympic Games last year.

The Red Roses are unbeaten in 2017 having recently returned from New Zealand where victories over their hosts, Australia and Canada in the International Women's Rugby Series saw England replace the Black Ferns at the of the World Rugby Women's Rankings. 

“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 coach Simon Middleton, whose side will face Spain, Italy and WRWC 1991 winners USA in Pool B.

“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. Selection is probably one of the toughest jobs you do as a coach. This is not just a squad of the 28 players travelling to Ireland, but represents all those who have contributed so much this season to make this the team it is.

“Our aim was to be world number one heading into the World Cup and we are. It's been one of our goals. It's not the most important thing, but it goes hand in hand with what we want to achieve and that is to be world champions. We are comfortable going into the tournament as world number one favourites but it won't change how we play or approach it.

“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 other game we’ve played over the past year. We'll be confident, but not complacent as it just means too much to us.”

England squad 

Forwards: Zoe Aldcroft, Sarah Bern, Rochelle Clark, Amy Cokayne, Vickii Cornborough, Vicky Fleetwood, Sarah Hunter (captain), Heather Kerr, Justine Lucas, Alex Matthews, Harriet Millar-Mills, Izzy Noel-Smith, Marlie Packer, Abbie Scott, Tamara Taylor.
 
Backs: Rachael Burford, Natasha Hunt, Megan Jones, La Toya Mason, Katy Mclean, Amber Reed, Leanne Riley, Emily Scarratt, Emily Scott, Lydia Thompson, Danielle Waterman, Kay Wilson, Amy Wilson-Hardy.