TEAM NEWS | Saracens Women v Sale Sharks Women

Head Coach Alex Austerberry is seeing Sunday’s match against Sale Sharks Women as another chance for his side to keep building momentum in their pursuit of top spot in the Allianz Premier 15s.

The Women in Black guaranteed themselves a place in the top-four after their win over Bristol Bears last weekend, but now the next task is to lock in a home semi-final before a large contingent of the squad head off on international duty for the Six Nations. 

There are a number of changes to the starting line-up as Austerberry has shuffled the pack for the first home match in over a month. 

Mackenzie Carson, Kat Evans and Donna Rose start in an all-new front-row, with Fiona McIntosh and Catha Jacobs also coming in to the second-row. 

Jodie Rettie is back at blindside, with Vicky Fleetwood at openside and co-captain Marlie Packer in the number eight shirt once again. 

Ella Wyrwas and Holly Aitchison continue their half-back partnership, with 100 Club member Hannah Casey back in the starting line-up outside the in-form Alev Kelter at centre. 

Co-captain Lotte Clapp moves back to the wing, with Alysha Corrigan on the right after her brilliant try last week, and Chantelle Miell gets the nod at full-back. 

There is plenty of experience that can be called upon from the bench, with the likes of May Campbell, Sonia Green and Rachel Laqeretabua all ready to make an impact in the latter stages. 

Austerberry is expecting a tough battle after a very challenging trip to Sale earlier in the season. 

“Sale gave us some lessons up at their place so we have to be on it and performing to the highest of standards, otherwise the result won’t go the way that we want.

It’s another opportunity to build momentum which is crucial for us.”

Saracens Women team top play Sale Sharks Women:

1 Mackenzie Carson

2 Kat Evans

3 Donna Rose

4 Fiona McIntosh

5 Catha Jacobs

6 Jodie Rettie

7 Vicky Fleetwood

8 Marlie Packer (cc)

9 Ella Wyrwas

10 Holly Aitchison

11 Lotte Clapp (cc)

12 Alev Kelter

13 Hannah Casey 

14 Alysha Corrigan

15 Chantelle Miell

Replacements:

16 May Campbell

17 Kelsey Clifford

18 Alex Ellis

19 Sophie Tansley

20 Sonia Green

21 Carly Waters

22 Lisa Martin 

23 Rachel Laqeretabua