England name women's sevens squad for Europe Grand Prix Series

Bristol second-row Olivia Jones will be handed her first team debut and replaces Abbie Brown, who has a hamstring injury and will missing the opening game in Malemort.

The Bristol second row has represented England Under-20s five times – including in their two most recent games against France in March – and is the only uncapped player to be included in the 12-woman squad.

England Women Sevens coach James Bailey said: "This is a strong squad of players who have gained valuable experience on the world circuit over the course of the season.

"It is vitally important that we perform well in this two-leg series to earn qualification for the World Cup next year and we will be looking to make a positive start this weekend."

England will be hoping to use the two-part European series as a last chance to qualify for Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco, in July 2018.

James Bailey's side are eighth in the overall standings following five of the six rounds of the HSBC World Rugby Women's Sevens, with the top four sides not having already qualified for the World Cup, sealing their place in San Francisco.

England look likely to need to leapfrog France in the World Series standings during the final leg of the tour, but that looks unlikely, meaning the Grand Prix Series become all the more important.

England face Ireland, Italy and Portugal in Pool C before the second leg of the Rugby Europe Women's Grand Prix Series takes place in Kazan, Russia on 8-9 July.

Sportsbeat 2017