England U20 Women side to play France U20
England U20 Women head coach Lou Meadows has named a side to play France U20 on Saturday (KO 5pm BST).
Maisy Allen and Lizzie Duffy co-captain the side from open side flanker and fly-half respectively. Catherine Wells and Grace Clifford are the starting props, while Amy Dale will pack down at hooker.
In the second row Lilli Ives Campion and Niamh Orchard pair up, while Kendall Waudby (blind side flanker) and Gabriella Nigrelli (No. 8) join Allen in the back row. Worcester Warriors’ Tori Sellors wear the number 9 shirt, and Nancy McGillivray lines up outside Duffy to form the 10-12 axis.
Get to know the Squad
Pip Hendy moves into the centres, allowing Grace White to make her debut on the wing. Loughborough Lightning’s Fran Goldthorp moves to full back and Katie Buchanan of Exeter Chiefs retains her shirt following a strong performance on the wing last Saturday.
Niamh Swailes, Katherine Baverstock, Niamh Williams, Steph Else, Nicole Wythe, Lucy Weaver, April Ishida and Leah Brough are named as replacements.
"Last Saturday taught us some crucial lessons in how a well organised side will punish you if you give them too much possession. The French brought the physicality we expected and made us pay for our errors," said Meadows.
"After starting strong, with a notable improvement in our discipline from the Scotland game, we maintained control in the line out and scored three well executed tries but this was not enough. The squad's response this week has been really honest and we've trained really well on and off the pitch to ensure our decision making matches our intention to play and control possession.
"The two test series with France is a massive opportunity for these players to physically and mentally push themselves beyond what they would have experienced so far in their careers. I'm looking forward to seeing them embrace this head on and perform under the pressures of what I am sure will be a large, passionate French crowd in Tours on Saturday."
Team to play France U20
Starting
15. Francesca Goldthorp (Loughborough Lightning)
14. Katie Buchanan (Exeter Chiefs)
13. Phillipa Hendy (Gloucester-Hartpury)
12. Nancy McGillivray (Exeter Chiefs)
11. Grace White (Bristol Bears)
10. Lizzie Duffy (CC; Sale Sharks)
9. Tori Sellors (Worcester Warriors)
1. Catherine Wells (University Worcester Warriors Women)
2. Amy Dale (Gloucester-Hartpury)
3. Grace Clifford (Loughborough Lightning)
4. Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning)
5. Niamh Orchard (Exeter Chiefs)
6. Kendall Waudby (Loughborough Lightning)
7. Maisy Allen (CC; Exeter Chiefs)
8. Gabriella Nigrelli (Bristol Bears)
Replacements
16. Niamh Swailes (Sale Sharks)
17. Katherine Baverstock (Loughborough Lightning)
18. Niamh Williams (Wasps FC)
19. Steph Else (Gloucester-Hartpury)
20. Nicole Wythe (Harlequins)
21. Lucy Weaver (Loughborough Lightning)
22. April Ishida (Darlington Mowden Park)
23. Leah Brough (University Worcester Warriors Women)
