KENT rugby player Catherine Spencer has been selected for the England squad for the women's World Cup, which starts in Canada on August 29.

Spencer, England women's player of the year last year, plays at No8 and is one of 26 players called up by head coach Geoff Richards.

She plays her rugby at Folkestone.

Richards, whose side go into the tournament as Six Nations grand slam champions, believes he has named a squad capable of winning the illustrious trophy for the first time since 1994.

England are ranked second for the tournament, behind world champions New Zealand, who beat them in the 2002 final in Barcelona.

Richards said: "This is a very talented squad and there are no weaknesses."

England's campaign will kick-off with a tough clash against the powerful US Eagles on August 31 at Ellerslie Rugby Park, followed by matches against South Africa and France before the knock-out stages commence.

Full squad: Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens), Karen Andrew (Saracens), Charlotte Barras (Lichfield), Shannon Baker (Richmond), Rachel Burford (Henley), Rochelle Clarke (Henley), Helen Clayton (Saracens), Nicola Crawford (Worcester), Susan Day (Wasps), Amy Garnett (Saracens), Vanessa Gray (Wasps), Vanessa Huxford (Wasps), Jennifer Lyne (Richmond), Kimberley Oliver (Clifton), Shelley Rae (Wasps), Selena Rudge (Wasps), Kimberley Shaylor (Worcester), Catherine Spencer (Folkestone), Michaela Staniford (Henley), Georgia Stevens (Clifton), Katy Storie (Clifton), Jennifer Sutton (Richmond), Tamara Taylor (Thirsk), Amy Turner (Wasps), Danielle Waterman (Henley), Joanna Yapp (capt) (Worcester).