She takes up the role after previous head coach Lou Meadows was promoted to the Red Roses coaching staff under the incoming John Mitchell.  

Following more than a decade of playing for Loughborough Town, Lewis started her coaching career across the women and girls pathway before joining Bristol Women in 2012 as forwards and then head coach. A move to Gloucester-Hartpury saw her in charge of nurturing young talent, running the Under-18 girls’ rugby academy at Hartpury College, before joining Wasps in 2019.  

“I’m thrilled to be starting as head coach of the England women’s U20 team," said Lewis. "It’s a very exciting time to be involved in the national setup.  

“Having worked on each rung of the rugby ladder, from grassroots to the elite level, I appreciate this role comes with an enormous responsibility in helping shape the talent we have emerging in the women and girls’ game. But equally, it is also an opportunity, one I intend to work hard to capitalise on.  

“As we get closer and closer to a home World Cup in 2025, my goal is to make sure as many young women in our England Rugby Pathways Programme are pushing for a Red Roses shirt as possible.”  

Head of performance pathways and programmes, Donald Barrell said: “We are delighted LJ is our new head coach for the England Rugby women’s U20 team.  

“The Pathways Programme is for more than just players, so we’re very proud to see Lou’s expertise and skills as a coach rewarded. It is however a reflection on the growth and strength of the women’s game that we have someone with as much experience as LJ taking over.  

“She’s not only an expert in rugby, but also in working with young people, and we’re very eager to support her as she accelerates the development of our U20 players, working underneath the England Rugby Development Framework with her team.”