The opening forays of the new FIH Pro League season will play a crucial role for both England teams in the build-up to next year’s World Cup qualifiers.
England announced their squads for the season opener in Dublin, where both teams will play their first matches. For England women it will be a chance to atone for a poor last season which nearly saw David Ralph’s side relegated.
England women play on Dec 9 against Belgium and features Flora Peel and Lily Walker who will continue to share the captain’s armband.
Amy Thompson will be aiming to make her England debut after breaking her kneecap at the start of last season, while Lily Owsley returns for her seventh season of Pro League.
Alongside Belgium, the women will also take on home side Ireland, making their Pro League debut.
Zach Wallace has been named captain of the men’s team who get their FIH Hockey Pro League campaign underway on Dec 10 against Germany.
Both Ollie Payne and Nick Bandurak make their returns. Payne has recovered from ankle surgery while Bandurak missed last season through injury.
Sam Ward is still recovering from a broken leg sustained for Old Georgians earlier this season.
The men’s team will face Belgium and Germany,
England women
Grace Balsdon 31 Darcy Bourne 2 Katie Curtis 18 Georgie Gardens 17 Paige Gillott 34 Olivia Hamilton 19 Sophie Hamilton 23 Sabbie Heesh 25 Tess Howard 14 Holly Hunt 11 Pippa Lock 8 Alex Malzer 5 Becky Manton 3 Lizzie Neal 22 Lily Owsley 26 Flora Peel (C ) 28 Miriam Pritchard 40 Ellie Rayer 13 Martha Taylor 30 Amy Thompson 10 Anna Toman 6 Lily Walker (C ) 4
England men
James Mazarelo 16 Ollie Payne 20 Nick Park 2 Ben Fox 47 Sam Taylor 46 Sam Hooper 33 Liam Sanford 27 Conor Williamson 30 James Albery 14 James Gall 26 Jack Waller 3 David Goodfield 19 James Oates 24 Will Calnan 31 Tom Sorsby 5 Zach Wallace ( c) 7 Nick Bandurak 23 Jacob Payton 8 Henry Croft 9 Matt Ramshaw 77
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