England U20 Women's team to face France
LJ Lewis has named her match day squad to face France in Rouen on Saturday
The pathway side travel to the Stade Jean-Mermoz this Saturday evening (17:00 BST kick-off).
The U20 Women were victorious over Army Women back in March, running in 15 tries. Ella Cromack contributed 25 points while Millie Hyett, Steph Else and Ellie Roberts each scored braces to finish the game 99-5.
Tori Sellors of Saracens captains the side in France in what will be her sixth U20 cap. The scrum-half forms a key component in England's unchanged backline. Jorja Battishill and Joia Bennett come into the starting pack as the only alterations to the starting XV from March’s encounter.
Nine of Saturday’s starting XV earned their first U20 caps against Army; Lia Green, Millie Hyett, Amelia MacDougall, Sophie Hopkins, Ella Cromack, Chloe Flanagan, Jorja Battishill, Joia Bennett and Ellie Roberts.
Forwards Josie Plant (Exeter Chiefs) and Tyla Shirley (Harlequins) are in line for their debuts from the replacements bench.
Lewis’ U20 Women face Wales at Dings Crusaders RFC in the final outing of their spring schedule on 4th May, with tickets free of charge. The fixture will also be streamed on the England Rugby YouTube channel.
Lewis said: “The group were thrilled with our performance against Army. In the women’s pathway, we encourage our players to be adventurous and myself and Sarah were delighted with the output of the squad on the day.
“We as a unit are acutely aware that the demands will naturally increase when facing France away from home, but the excitement that evokes has been evident in training at Bisham this week.
“The girls have had an important block of activity with their clubs and universities in recent weeks, and I expect the same adventurous approach against France from minute one on Saturday evening.”
England U20 Women’s team to face France
15 Lia Green (Loughborough Lightning, Loughborough University, Winscombe RFC) *
14 Reneeqa Bonner (Bristol Bears, Hartpury University, Clevedon Rugby Club) *
13 Millie Hyett (Gloucester-Hartpury, Hartpury College, Worcester Girls RFC) *
12 Amelia MacDougall (Saracens, Oaklands College, Old Albanian RFC) *
11 Sophie Hopkins (Sale Sharks, University of Manchester, Fullerians RFC) *
10 Ella Cromack (Harlequins, City of Oxford College, Reading Rugby Football Club) *
9 Tori Sellors (Saracens, University of Worcester, Sevenoaks Rugby Club) *
1 Chloe Flanagan (Saracens, Old Albanian RFC) *
2 Niamh Swailes (Sale Sharks, Salford University, Ryton RUFC) *
3 Catherine Wells (Loughborough Lightning, University of Worcester, Barkers Butts RFC) *
4 Lola Whitley (Gloucester-Hartpury, Hartpury College, Sudbury RFC) *
5 Jorja Battishill (Gloucester-Hartpury, Hartpury University, Gloucester-Hartpury) *
6 Joia Bennett (Saracens, Loreto College, Old Albanian RFC) *
7 Ellie Roberts (Loughborough Lightning, Loughborough University, Basingstoke RFC) *
8 Steph Else (Gloucester-Hartpury, Hartpury University, Scarborough Rugby Union Football Club) *
Replacements
16 Amelia Williams (Loughborough Lightning, Loughborough University, Medway Rugby Football Club) *
17 Lucy Calladine (Loughborough Lightning, University of Worcester, Burton Rugby Football Club) *
18 Hannah Sams (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College, Kingsbridge RFC) *
19 Josie Plant (Exeter Chiefs, Perranporth RFC)
20 Tyla Shirley (Harlequins, Cardinal Newman Sixth Form, Hove Rugby Club)
21 Alex Wilkinson (Henley Hawks, Oxford University, Henley Hawks) *
22 Carmela Morrall (Loughborough Lightning, Loughborough University, Dubai Hurricanes) *
23 Millie David (Bristol Bears, University of West England, Reading Rugby Football Club) *
*denotes a player capped at U20 level for England
England U20 Women’s spring 2024 fixtures and results
England U20 Women 99-5 Army – 23 March 2024 (Havant RFC)
France U20 Women vs. England U20 Women – 20 April 2024 (Stade Jean Mermoz, Rouen, 17:00 BST kick-off)
England U20 Women vs. Wales U20 Women – 4 May 2024 (Dings Crusaders RFC, 14:00 BST kick-off)
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