Former Ellingham & Ringwood player Alicia Maude called up for England sevens

FORMER Ellingham & Ringwood scrum-half Alicia Maude has been called up to the England Women Sevens squad for the HSBC World Sevens Series tournament in Canada.

Head coach James Rodwell's squad, captained by Abbie Brown, contains core players like the former Burley Primary School and Ringwood Academy pupil Maude, Ellie Boatman, Abi Burton, and Heather Cowell.

England has been drawn into Pool C, where they will take on New Zealand, Fiji and USA at the Starlight Stadium in Langford between 30th April and 1st May.

Maude, affectionately known as Stumpy, played for E&R from six and is one of many former club players to break into the senior international fold. She follows in the footsteps of sisters Poppy and Bryony Cleall, who both play for Saracens and are full England internationals, and Lisa Cockburn, a full Scottish international.

Rodwell said: "We have real quality coming through within the women's game and English rugby, and it's been exciting to see them in camp with us.

"We are in a tough pool where we welcome New Zealand and Fiji back to the World Sevens Series, and for us, as a group, this is another chance for us to learn and grow together as we build throughout the season towards the Commonwealth Games."

Pool C schedule: England v New Zealand, (30/4) at 5.52pm (UK time); England v Fiji (30/4) at 8.56pm; England v USA (1/5) at 12am.

England Women sevens squad: Ellie Boatman, Abbie Brown, Abi Burton, Heather Cowell, Grace Crompton, Merryn Doidge, Alicia Maude, Isla Norman-Bell, Jodie Ounsley, Jade Shekells, Lauren Torley, Emma Uren, Amy Wilson Hardy.