ALTHOUGH the England Roses series against Jamaica will take centre stage in England over the next few weeks, that is not the only action for netball fans to enjoy.

One of a number of curtain raiser matches set to take place is a battle between England A and the Scotland Thistles.

For the England A girls, it will be the first of a number of opportunities across the Roses v Jamaica series to show the Senior Roses officials their capabilities ahead of a big year of netball for the English.

There has been one change to the England A squad since it was initially announced in December.

Tash Pavelin was originally named in the England A squad, but she subsequently tore her ACL during Super League training and so will no longer take her place in the series.

As such, Millie Sanders has come into the England A squad in her place before she joins up with the Future Roses team for their game against the England Mens team.

Meanwhile for Scotland, this match against England A is the start of their build up to a big year, which will culminate in the World Cup in the middle of the year.

Although it is not the same England side that will go to the World Cup, the Thistles do face England in the group stage of the World Cup, so it will be a good first look for the Thistles at the players in the English international pathway.

The Thistles have only named a squad of 10, but there are a few changes to the team that went to South Africa for the SPAR Diamond Challenge.

Bethan Goodwin returns to the squad, but Iona Christian will miss the game due to what Scotland coach Tamsin Greenway described as “a short term opportunity we have organised for her overseas”.

England A and the Scotland Thistles will battle in the AO Arena in Manchester on Wednesday ahead of the England Roses vs Jamaica test.

Squads

England A

Amy Carter       

Zara Everitt       

Hannah Joseph

Berri Neil           

Natalie Panagarry          

Jayda Pechova 

Ellie Rattu         

Paige Reed       

Millie Sanders

Emma Thacker 

Alice Harvey*

Elle McDonald*

Olivia Tchine*  

* May play this series but also listed for the Roses

Scotland

Claire Maxwell (C)           

Emily Nicholl (VC)            

Bethan Goodwin             

Niamh McCall   

Hannah Leighton             

Cerys Finn          

Cerys Cairns       

Kelly Boyle         

Rachel Conway 

Emma Love