England Women's head coach Gary Street has named Richmond's Rebecca Essex, Karen Jones, Fiona Pocock, Alice Richardson and Amy Turner his squad to compete in next month's Nations Cup in Toronto, Canada.

England head across the Atlantic as reigning Nations Cup champions, having completed a clean sweep of wins against Canada and the USA 12 months ago.

This time around, they will also face South Africa and their Six Nations rivals France.

Wasps' Heather Fisher is the only uncapped player in the squad after impressing at England's training camp last week and during the Sevens World Cup campaign earlier this year.

The Nations Cup is the start of a busy 12 months for England, with autumn internationals against reigning world champions New Zealand, their defence of the RBS Six Nations championship in February and the 2010 IRB Women's Rugby World Cup in London in August and September.

Street said: "This is a really strong squad and it has been hard making the final cut of 26 players but I believe we will be going to Canada in a very strong position.

"Heather is the only uncapped player and she will add physicality and strength to our game against some physically tough opposition like France and South Africa.

"We are lucky to have so many talented flankers, like Maggie Alphonsi, who's unavailable through injury and Sonia Green and Jane Leonard. It's been nice to have these selection dilemmas.

"The Nations Cup is the start of a long and important season for us and all the players know that this is their chance to make their mark for the 12 months ahead.

"It's very exciting that South Africa and France have joined the tournament. France are one of the toughest sides we play in the Six Nations, while South Africa have really improved as a rugby nation, they have most recently shown that in the sevens.

"Obviously, we want to go to Canada to defend our title, but the important thing is that we concentrate on our game, perform to the best of our abilities and keep on improving."

England Squad:

Claire Allan Saracens Charlotte Barras Saracens Sarah Beale Lichfield Rachael Burford Saracens Rochelle Clark Team Northumbria Rebecca Essex Richmond Heather Fisher Wasps Amy Garnett Saracens Sophie Hemming Bristol Sarah Hunter Lichfield Karen Jones Richmond Joanna McGilchrist Wasps Katy McLean Darlington Mowden Park Sharks Katherine Merchant Worcester Kimberley Oliver Bristol Fiona Pocock Richmond Claire Purdy Wasps Sam Reeve Worcester Alice Richardson Richmond Georgina Rozario Plymouth Albion Emily Scarratt Lichfield Gemma Sharples Worcester Catherine Spencer Bristol Katy Storie Team Northumbria Amy Turner Richmond Danielle Waterman Team Northumbria

England Nations Cup Playing Schedule:

England v USA August 10th KO 1130pm England v France August 13th KO 630pm England v South Africa August 19th KO 930pm England v Canada August 22nd KO 10pm