Keswick's Abbie Scott has been named as England women's captain for their opening women’s rugby super series clash against hosts USA.

Having captained England for the first time against USA in the Quilter Internationals in November, former Keswick School and Sedbergh School student Scott will once again lead the side in the absence of regular skipper Sarah Hunter who is still going through return to play protocols after concussion. The 26-year-old will be winning her 37th international cap.

Centre Amber Reed will win her 50th cap tomorrow against the Eagles in San Diego (9pm kick-off BST) as she starts at inside centre.

Elsewhere, scrum-half Claudia Macdonald makes her first England start after four outings as a replacement, while both prop Chloe Edwards and hooker Clara Nielson are set for their England debuts from the bench as both are named as finishers.

Another Cumbrian Cath O’Donnell, of Maryport, is on the bench and will earn her 13th international cap if she comes on.

Head coach Simon Middleton said: "We’ve had a good acclimatisation period and we are happy that we managed to get the volume of rugby we had hoped under our belt, going into this first game.

"I think we’ll find, like all of the teams, performances should improve as you go through the tournament as both the individuals and the teams settle into a rhythm. For us, there are quite a few new combinations and less experienced players in this team, so we’ve got to understand it will not be the finished article.

"Having said that, we have a level of expectation against all of our performances and the players know exactly what is expected of them.

"We performed well against the USA in the November Quilter internationals but we recognise this is a different time and place.

"We’re in a country that is incredibly passionate about their sport and so we expect a step up in performance from the USA. Our challenge first and foremost will be to better the energy and intensity they bring."

On Reed winning her 50th cap, Middleton added to England Rugby's website: "She is one of the most gifted and all-round talented players we’ve got.

"She’s a great person to have around as she’s very calm, has a great rugby brain, she understands the game and knows how to deliver on-field performances and get the critical messages across - she knows how to get the best out of the players around her."