Richmond pair Emma Layland and Alice Richardson have been named in England women's squads for the Amsterdam and London Emirates Airlines Sevens being held later this month.

Head coach Simon Amor and assistant coach Mike Friday have named strong squads for the events, with a total of 263 caps between the 13 participating players.

Two former England captains in Worcester's Jo Yapp and Wasps' Sue Day will return from international retirement to spearhead England's sevens campaign, as the team continue their preparations to qualify for the inaugural IRB Women's Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai in 2009.

The squad for the Amsterdam Sevens, to be played on May 17-18, includes seven players who helped England win the 2008 RBS Six Nations Grand Slam.

For the London Emirates Airline Sevens, England will play a one-off fixture against New Zealand Aotearoa Maori at Twickenham on May 25.

The NZ Aotearoa Maori sevens have a formidable record in sevens, having won the Hong Kong Sevens four years on the bounce.

Hampton School old boy Amor said: "Amsterdam is a great tournament to kickstart our sevens campaign.

"There are some competitive national teams involved, including Canada, the USA and NZ Aotearoa Maori.

"It is certainly going to be a tough tournament, especially as we could potentially play nine games in two days.

Amsterdam Sevens squad: Claire Allan (Saracens), Charlotte Barras (Saracens), Rachael Burford (Saracens), Susan Day (Wasps), Heather Fisher (Wasps), Sonia Green (Saracens), Emma Layland (Richmond), Sarah Marsh (Wasps), Alice Richardson (Richmond), Michaela Staniford (Wasps), Danielle Waterman (Clifton), Joanna Yapp (Worcester).

London Sevens: Claire Allan (Saracens), Susan Day (Wasps), Heather Fisher (Wasps), Sonia Green (Saracens), Emma Layland (Richmond), Sarah Marsh (Wasps), Alice Richardson (Richmond), Gemma Sharples (Worcester), Danielle Waterman (Clifton), Joanne Yapp (Worcester).