KATY MCLEAN has been reinstated as England captain for their Six Nations match against Ireland on Friday evening.

Tamara Taylor, Mclean’s Darlington Mowden Park Sharks teammate, steps down to vice-captain having skippered England in their first two Six Nations fixtures.

Mclean was on England Sevens duty in Brazil for England’s opening defeat to Wales, but returned to fifteens action a fortnight ago for the 39-7 victory against Italy.

Elsewhere, there are three changes to Nicola Ponsford’s side to face Ireland at Ashbourne on Friday night.

England have called up Saracens full back Lauren Cattell, replacing Kay Wilson and is set to earn her tenth cap.

Amber Reed, who has been sidelined through injury for the tournament so far, returns to the bench while Heather Kerr could be set to make her England debut if she comes on as a replacement.

Ponsford said: “We started this campaign with a significant number of new players in this squad with the focus on giving them the opportunity to develop at this level.

“We want to be as consistent as we can with selection throughout the Six Nations so we have only made one change to the starting line-up.

“Katy will take over the captaincy reigns. She has demonstrated over the years, especially during the World Cup, her qualities as a leader and I think that will be vital against Ireland.

“Tamara has done a fantastic job leading the side against Wales and Italy so we are fortunate to have two experienced leaders in this team.”

Mclean enjoyed her trip to Brazil on Sevens duty, for which she is now a full-time professional, but is relishing her return to the fifteens fold.

“For me, the sevens was a dream come true,” said the South Shields-born World Cup winner.

“I didn’t think I’d see that in my career, a women’s player getting a full-time contract. It’s difficult because some of the guys here are still working so there’s a lot of expectation there.

“For me it’s been a massive change, relocating to Guildford, but the opportunity to rest and recover has been vital. The opportunity to go to places like Brazil has been phenomenal and one I’ve really enjoyed.

“To play alongside these guys again is great. The forwards are a different breed and I’ve realised how much I missed them, especially in sevens. It’s nice to be back around the girls. Brazil went as well as it could for us but it’s good to be back in a Six Nations tournament that is one of the best in the fifteens calendar.”

England Women: Cattell (Saracens), Laybourn (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Brown (Bristol), Large (Worcester), Gregson (Bristol), Mclean (captain, Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Blackburn (Worcester); Clark (Worcester), Fleetwood (Saracens), Keates (Worcester), Taylor (vice-captain, Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Scott (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Matthews (Richmond) Gallagher ( Saracens), Millar-Mills (Waterloo). Replacements: Cokayne (Lichfield), Kerr (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Lucas (Lichfield), Burnfield (Richmond), Field (Richmond), Davidson (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Goddard (Worcester), Reed (Bristol).