Keswick's Abbie Scott is set to start for England as they begin their women’s Rugby World Cup campaign against Spain today.

Dumfries-born Scott, who started playing touch rugby when she was at school in Keswick, has been named in England women’s squad of 23, named by head coach Simon Middleton.

The Red Roses will take on Spain for the first time in three years when the two sides meet at the UCD Bowl, Dublin, Ireland, this afternoon (2pm kick-off) having last played each other in the pool stages of the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup.

England won the Women’s Rugby World Cup on that occasion as they beat Canada 21-9 in Paris in the final.

Darlington Mowden Park Rugby Club player Scott will make her 18th England cap when she features after being selected as one of the forwards.

She is accompanied in the squad by fellow Darlington Mowden Park women Katy Mclean, Heather Kerr, Zoe Aldcroft and La Toya Mason.

England women’s head coach Middleton said: “We are really happy with the way our tournament preparations have gone and the squad have worked really hard over the past number of months.

“Now it’s about translating that hard work and preparation and delivering performance on the pitch.

“We have a strong squad and want to use the full depth available to us throughout the World Cup. We are looking forward to getting the tournament under way.”

Following England’s Pool B opener, they will play Italy on Sunday and USA next Thursday. The matches against Spain and USA will be live on ITV4, while Sunday’s clash will be on ITV1.

Scott last year visited Creighton Rugby Club to help promote women’s rugby.

After attending Keswick School, the 24-year-old lock went on to Sedbergh School, near Kendal, for sixth form and then went to Northumbria University, where she studied history and politics.