Coach Geoff Richards has a much-changed squad after the World Cup

The 41-woman squad aims to defend England's Six Nations crown next year.

Included are 17 members of the squad that finished runners-up to defending champions New Zealand in the Women's World Cup in Canada in September.

Six of the World Cup squad - Helen Clayton, Nicky Crawford, Vanessa Huxford, Jenny Lyne, Kim Shaylor and Jenny Sutton - have retired.

Another three - captain Jo Yapp, Selena Rudge and Shannon Baker - are taking time out from the game.

But Richards is confident the infusion of new blood into the squad will have a positive effect.

"This is a very exciting squad which I'm sure will do women's rugby proud again next year when we kick off the Six Nations championship," he said.

England Women Elite Squad:

Claire Allen (Saracens), Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens), Karen Andrew (Saracens), Charlotte Barras (Saracens), Sarah Beale (Leodiensian), Natalie Binstead (Wasps), Rachel Burford (Saracens), Leah Carey (Lichfield), Rochelle Clark (Henley), Emily Cooke (Clifton), Rosemarie Crowlwy (Lichfield), Samantha Dale (Worcester), Sue Day (Wasps), Emma Dresser (Lichfield), Becky Essex (Richmond), Amy Garnett (Saracens), Vanessa Gray (Wasps), Sophie Hemming (Clifton), Sarah Hunter (Lichfield), Emma Layland (Richmond), Jane Leonard (Wasps), Vicky Massarella (Saracens), Jo McGilchrist (Wasps), Katy McLean (Thirsk), Katherine Merchant (Worcester), Kim Oliver (Clifton), Amber Penrith (Cardiff Quins), Fiona Pocock (Richmond), Shelley Rae (Wasps), Georgina Roberts (Thirsk), Georgina Rosario (Plymouth Albion), Harriet Slynn (Richmond), Catherine Spencer (Worcester), Michaela Staniford (Henley), Georgia Stevens (Clifton), Katy Storie (Blaydon), Tamara Taylor (Thirsk), Olivia Thomas (Plymouth Albion), Amy Turner (Wasps), Danielle Waterman (Clifton), Joanne Watmore (Thirsk)