THE Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) All Stars squad for the upcoming Netball Legends Series against the England Roses has been revealed, with a host of international and domestic talent looking to test the England national side and promote the exciting array of talent in the UK’s premier netball league. While the likes of Malawian Joyce Mvula and New Zealander Liana Leota had already been confirmed, a plethora of well-known faces will also take the court across the series as players from six countries join forces against England. Joining Mvula in the front end are Jamaicans Rebekah Robinson and Gezelle Allison, with the trio of goalers boasting plenty of versatility and smooth moving, while Northern Ireland veteran Caroline O’Hanlon and speedster Yasmin Parsons will join Leota in the attacking midcourt, driving the ball hard downcourt. There is no shortage of defensive minded midcourters, too, with Nat Panagarry, Gia Abernethy and Fionnuala Toner able to command plenty of ball, while the defensive end is chock full of impressive talent with Roses training partner Summer Artman joined by the likes of Malawian Loreen Ngwira, New Zealander Jo Trip and Australian Sam May. The 13-player squad will be complete with an additional two reserves, who are yet to be confirmed. While the side is boasting a wealth of experienced heads in Leota, May and O’Hanlon, all of whom are aged over 30, the developing talent in their midst – especially the likes of Allison and Artman, who are the youngest in the squad and boast a couple of international caps apiece – is more than capable of holding up to the Roses onslaught. The real test will be whether the side has had time to gel with such short notice, especially upon the return of a couple of key Roses cogs. When it comes to predicted starting sevens, the Roses squad should be a fraction easier given the working combinations at hand – think Serena Guthrie in centre, Helen Housby in goal attack and perhaps a rotation of both Ellie Cardwell and George Fisher at the goal post, assisted by the quick feet and reflexes of Nat Haythornthwaite in wing attack. Factor in the return of Layla Guscoth to add some experience to a young defensive end and the consistency of Fran Williams, and the side is a lot more predictable to work with – at least for the first match. Looking to the All Stars, and it is safe to say that Mvula and Leota are likely to start in their preferred positions at the post and on circle edge, while the limitless supply of midcourters and defenders will surely see plenty of changes throughout, with Artman potentially set to take the starting goal keeper bib given her training experience with the Roses. Expect Ngwira to get a good look in there too, though, while co-vice captains Trip and May will relish the court time together in the defensive end and O’Hanlon will be a huge workhorse through the middle third.

England Roses predicted starting seven: GS: Eleanor Cardwell GA: Helen Housby WA: Nat Haythornthwaite C: Serena Guthrie WD: Jade Clarke GD: Layla Guscoth GK: Razia Quashie

VNSL All Stars predicted starting seven: GS: Joyce Mvula GA: Rebekah Robinson WA: Liana Leota C: Yasmin Parsons WD: Fionnuala Toner GD: Jo Trip GK: Loreen Ngwira

FULL ENGLAND ROSES SQUAD: Serena Guthrie (C) Natalie Haythornthwaite (C) Helen Housby Jade Clarke Layla Guscoth Eleanor Cardwell George Fisher Laura Malcolm Sophie Drakeford-Lewis Beth Cobden Imogen Allison Fran Williams Razia Quashie Vicki Oyesola Summer Artman (Emergency)

FULL VNSL ALL STARS SQUAD: Liana Leota (C) Samantha May (VC) Jo Trip (VC) Joyce Mvula Loreen Ngwira Natalie Panagarry Gezelle Allison Caroline O’Hanlon Summer Artman Fionnuala Toner Gia Abernethy Rebekah Robinson Yasmin Parsons

MATCH DETAILS: Wednesday, January 20, 6pm local (5am AEDT, Thursday, January 21) Friday, January 22, 6pm local (5am AEDT, Saturday, January 23) Sunday, January 24, 6.30pm local (5:30am AEDT, Monday, January 25)