Netball: No changes for Silver Ferns

New Zealand's Laura Langman. Photo / Greg Bowker.

The Silver Ferns have named an unchanged line-up to face England in a two-test series later this month.

Having already had a change forced on them in the Constellation Cup series against Australia, with Kayla Cullen coming in as a replacement for captain Casey Kopua, who is sidelined with a serious knee injury, the national selectors were reluctant to make any further changes to the group for England tests.

Laura Langman will lead the side in the absence of Kopua, with Katrina Grant to fill the vice-captain role for the series, which begins in Rotorua on October 28.

Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu expects the final two test matches of the year against England will be hard fought games.

"England are coming off the back of very strong form at the Commonwealth games and we are looking forward to a tight contest in this series" she said.

"So while our key focus is to win, we also need to continue to develop depth and grow combinations right throughout the court."

The final test in Palmerston North will wrap up a busy international season for the Ferns, who kicked off the year with a tour of the UK back in January.

England will also play a NZA selection side, made up of players from the wider New Zealand squad and under-21 sides, while they are touring the country ahead of next month's Fast5 World Series in Auckland.

The NZA team will be directed by former Central Pulse coach Yvette McCausland-Durie and feature several fringe members of the Silver Ferns looking to win their place back in the team including Camilla Lees, Courtney Tairi, Shannon Francois and Ellen Halpenny.