Middleton's Nine Newcomers
Get to know the nine new faces included in Simon Middleton's 42-player squad for the 2023 TikTok Women's Six Nations
Middleton says he is excited at the prospect of bringing new talent into the Red Roses squad, commenting on the range of talent and available for selection.
He said: "We’ve got a great opportunity to bring in some exciting young players who have been excelling in the Premier 15s this season, and some of the more senior players who have been knocking on the door for a while.
"There’s a real mix between the new players that we’re bringing in and the established players in the squad, and that just adds to the excitement.
"It gives us a great challenge as a management group because it’s not just about talent, but the ages of the players in the group. We’ve got a massive amount of quality and we’re really looking forward to it."
Kelsey Clifford
| DOB | 11/12/2001 |
| Club | Saracens |
| Position | Prop |
Saracens’ Kelsey Clifford represented England at U18 level, captaining the side in their 39-5 win over Scotland in 2019. She subsequently made three appearances at U20 level.
May Campbell
| DOB | 16/05/1995 |
| Club | Saracens |
| Position | Hooker |
Former England Women’s U20 player May Campbell has been an integral figure in the Saracens team of late, featuring in the team that retained the Premier 15s title in 2022.
In January, Campbell reached 100 games for the North London club in a 10-try victory over Worcester, in which she scored her fourteenth try of the season.
Middleton commented on May's impressive form: "May Campbell has been absolutely outstanding for Saracens for a couple of seasons now with her work rate and dynamism around the field."
Liz Crake
| DOB | 08/11/1994 |
| Club | Wasps |
| Position | Prop |
Wasps Women captain and qualified dentist Liz Crake embodies versatility; She has featured in every forward position except hooker for the Allianz Premier 15s squad and has been a mainstay for the west London-based club in recent seasons.
Emily Robinson
| DOB | 22/06/2000 |
| Club | Harlequins |
| Position | Flanker |
Emily Robinson was part of the Harlequins side that won the Allianz Premier 15s final in 2021, coming on as a replacement in the 25-17 victory.
She is the sister of Exeter Chiefs player Flo Robinson and was previously included alongside her in the squad for the 2021 Six Nations. Emily is also a qualified carpenter and holds a bronze medal in the Senior Girls Discus.
Hannah Sims
| DOB | 03/11/1996 |
| Club | Harlequins |
| Position | Prop |
Hannah Sims recently joined Harlequins from rival Allianz Premier 15s side Bristol. Her playing career began at Wasps, where she became the youngest player to hit 50 caps for the club.
Since joining Quins, Hannah has featured in the matchday 23 for every game, making her debut from the bench and starting in every match aftwerwards.
Elizabeth Duffy
| DOB | 12/02/2002 |
| Club | Sale Sharks |
| Position | Fly Half |
Sale Sharks’ flyer Elizabeth Duffy is capped internationally for England at U20 level. The 21-year-old fly half is a regular feature in the starting XV and has made a name for herself for her work rate in both attack and defence.
Nancy McGillivray
| DOB | 15/11/2002 |
| Club | Exeter Chiefs |
| Position | Fly half/centre |
Comfortable playing across the back line, versatile back Nancy McGillivray first took up rugby in Hong Kong, where she grew up, at the age of eight. She has since played for Kowloon Rugby in the Hong Kong Women’s Premiership before signing with Exeter Chiefs in 2021.
McGillivray is capped at England U20 level, representing the side five times over two campaigns. Upon naming her in his squad for the upcoming campaign, Middleton said: "Nancy is playing really well with Exeter and we’re really looking forward to seeing her in the squad."
Ellie Rugman
| DOB | 14/06/1993 |
| Club | Gloucester-Hartpury |
| Position | Wing |
Gloucester-Hartpury’s Ellie Rugman began her rugby career at the age of 20 for Drybrook Ladies. She played three seasons at the club, before captaining them for a season.
With the hopes of playing in the top-flight of Women’s rugby, Ellie moved to Gloucester Hartpury, and made her debut in 2017. She is the Allianz Premier 15s all-time top try and points scorer and has, in the 2022/23 season alone, scored 17 tries in just 13 games.
Middleton said: "Ellie Rugman has been outstanding for four or five seasons, she’s a great try scorer so we’re looking forward to seeing her in the squad."
Ella Wyrwas
| DOB | 07/03/1999 |
| Club | Saracens |
| Position | Scrum half |
Saracens back Wyrwas has combined her rise through the ranks in elite rugby with studying for a degree in Biology.
Wyrwas spent time at Loughborough Lightning to combine her degree with regular appearances in the Allianz Premier 15s before returning to Saracens in August 2021. She featured in the side that won the Allianz Premier 15s title with a victory over Exeter Chiefs
