By TOM PLATT

KATY Daley-Mclean has been described as one of the best woman rugby players to have ever pulled on an England shirt ahead of her 100th international cap on Friday.

South Shields-born Daley-Mclean will reach the milestone in the opening Quilter Internationals Test against USA Women at Allianz Park (7.30pm).

The former Darlington Mowden Park fly-half, who earned her first England cap against Scotland in 2007, captained England to victory in the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup before going on to represent Team GB in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Marking Daley-Mclean’s milestone cap, England coach Simon Middleton said: “Katy is one of the greatest women’s players ever.

“It’s a remarkable achievement to get 100 caps for your country, especially considering she took time out in the sevens programme to represent Team GB in the Olympics.

“She has everything; an accomplished skillset, ability and a thorough understanding of the game. Katy is a great asset to England, a natural leader and an inspirational player. She knows how to inspire a team and is a great on-field motivator.”

Daley-Mclean moved to Loughborough Lightning in the summer and the former Primary school teacher can recall that first cap 11 years ago with fond memories.

She said: “I remember that first cap. I was on the bench and when I finally got on the field we scored a try in the corner. I was now fly-half and kicker and my first act in international rugby was to try to convert a kick from the touchline.

“I remember thinking that I must at least get the ball off the ground and not make a fool of myself. Luckily I hit it sweetly and it actually sailed through the posts. I can’t tell you how relieved I was.

“The women’s game has changed massively. There were a couple of hundred maybe watching that day and most of them were friends and family. In those days you would rock up for a game on a Friday night, play the game on Saturday and depart on a Sunday, not knowing if and when you would get together again.”

USA Women most recently played the Red Roses in Ireland last summer, with England coming out 47-26 winners in the opening pools.

Wasps Ladies wing Abby Dow has been ruled out of the three Tests through ankle injury, with Millie Wood (Gloucester-Hartpury) called in to the wider squad as replacement.

Middleton will cap four new players in the starting 15, with two additional new names on the bench.

Saracens prop Ellena Perry starts at loosehead with Firwood Waterloo teenager Sarah Beckett at No.8 and in the backs, centres Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury) and Carys Williams (Loughborough Lightning) start at 12 and 13 respectively.

With regular England captain Sarah Hunter on the bench for this opening game, Harlequins lock Abbie Scott is named to lead the side.

Additionally from the bench, Wasps scrum-half Claudia Macdonald and Bristol Bears centre Lucy Attwood will be looking for their first international appearance.