England Women: Hege Riise names first squad; Jill Scott in line to make 150th international appearance
Written by News on 09/02/2021
Jill Scott is in line to make her 150th international appearance after being selected in Hege Riise’s first England Women squad.
There are four uncapped players named in the 20-strong squad, with Ella Toone – who has scored six goals for Manchester United in the WSL this season – named alongside Sandy MacIver, Hannah Hampton and Lotte Wubben-Moy. All four featured in England training camps in September, October and November last year.
Steph Houghton, Lucy Bronze, Ellen White form the experienced core of the squad, combining with Scott for a total of 442 England caps.
Nikita Parris is not included as she is currently in lockdown with French club Lyon, and there is no place for Atletico Madrid’s Toni Duggan.
The group is due to meet up at St George’s Park on February 18 for training before their friendly against Northern Ireland, which will take place at England’s base on February 23.
Riise is leading the Lionesses for the Northern Ireland game as well as a Canada friendly in April following Phil Neville’s departure to Inter Miami last month. Sarina Wiegman, current boss of the Netherlands, will come in to take the job on a full-time basis in September.
“I am looking forward to leading my first international camp with England,” Riise said. “I have watched a lot of England and club matches and believe this is a group of players who are capable of winning at a major tournament.
“My work from now until Sarina Wiegman’s arrival is to develop their ability, playing style and physical conditioning to contribute to future success – this summer and beyond.
“It is great for the players to have an official fixture to look forward to and is an opportunity to implement everything they have worked on from previous training camps.”
England squad
Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton, Ellie Roebuck, Sandy MacIver
Defenders: Steph Houghton, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood, Chloe Kelly, Leah Williamson, Rachel Daly
Midfielders: Jill Scott, Ella Toone, Keira Walsh, Jordan Nobbs, Georgia Stanway
Forwards: Fran Kirby, Bethany England, Ellen White, Lauren Hemp
Evolution not revolution under new England coach…
Anton Toloui, Sky Sports News
Hege Riise insists England do not need major changes during her tenure as interim coach, despite recent results.
England lost seven of their last 11 games under Phil Neville but Riise has backed the experienced members of the squad by naming just a 20-player group for the game against Northern Ireland, with only four potential debutants.
“I’ve been looking at many players, we wanted to narrow it down to get a competitive squad to be competitive going into the Olympics,” she said. “We want the physicality, mentality and we are sure these players can adapt to that at the Olympics. This is a good squad, I’m comfortable with what it’s bringing in.”
Senior players including Beth Mead and Toni Duggan have missed out, with Riise admitting that is based on their current form. Uncapped Leah Galton and Millie Turner were also in contention but Riise’s backing the current players to take England forward.
Riise is a very different personality and coach when compared to Phil Neville, putting a huge emphasis on cooperation and dialogue with the players and backroom staff.
That being said, she is not planning on tearing apart the England system but wants a smaller playing pool so she can work on a more intensive in-camp experience to mirror a major tournament.
“I just want to change a few things, maybe more with a more competitive squad, to make it more game like,” she said. “Then we’ll be more mentally prepared, have more energy and belief in what we do.”
Riise knows what it takes to win at the highest level. As a player she won the World Cup, European Championship and Olympics, as a coach she has been part of the backroom staff with the USA and led LSK Kvinner in Norway to multiple titles.
Riise admits talks about leading Team GB at the Olympics will continue after this month’s training camp and game against Northern Ireland.
Her CV could not be any stronger, it will be interesting to see how much of an impact both on and off the pitch Riise can make in an exceptionally short space of time.
(c) Sky Sports 2021: England Women: Hege Riise names first squad; Jill Scott in line to make 150th international appearance
