The final England Women’s Pathway matchday squad of the 2024 Six Nations Women’s Summer Series has been confirmed by head coach LJ Lewis ahead of Sunday’s game against France.

England face Les Bleues on 14 July (20:00 BST kick-off) at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma, and the match will be available to watch live on the England Rugby YouTube channel.

Lilli Ives Campion returns to the matchday fold as captain and will pack down alongside fellow transitional Red Roses contracted player Steph Else at lock.

A first tournament start is awarded to Katie Shillaker, who has three tries in two caps for the England U20 Women, while Matchday 2 try scorers Kira Leat (2) and Ellie Roberts are replacements. Fly-half Ella Cromack, who chipped in with 10 points and two try assists against Wales is also named as a replacement.

The Emerging Roses ran in nine tries to beat Wales 24-55 last Tuesday after beating Ireland 33-10 in their opening game. France are also unbeaten in the competition thanks to wins over Wales (57-12) and Scotland (10-67).  

The Women’s Summer Series is intended to offer players a vital new opportunity to graduate through the rugby development pathway, from the U18 level. For those players who may have missed the U18 entry point onto the rugby pathway, the Women’s Summer Series opens up another route to international rugby.

Lewis on selection

“The team have worked incredibly hard over the tournament to achieve the results and are proving themselves as the future of women’s rugby. This tournament has been a showcase of talent across all unions, and it’s vital that the work continues in years to come to strengthen the pathways.

“Our players have learnt a great deal about themselves, our processes, our unity and our strength as future Roses over the past two weeks. Our challenge now is to channel all our learnings into this Sunday's game.

“We will be physically ready for our test against France, they are the perfect challenge to end the tournament. What is crucial now, is to stay focused on ourselves as a squad and I look forward to the girls taking the field on Sunday."

Team to face France

Starters

15. Lia Green (Loughborough Lightning, Winscombe RFC, 5 caps)

14. Katie Shillaker (Harlequins, Horsham RFC, 2 caps)

13. Sophie Langford (Exeter Chiefs, Hong Kong Football Club, 3 caps)

12. Millie Hyett (Gloucester-Hartpury, Worcester Girls RFC, 5 caps)

11. Sophie Hopkins (Sale Sharks, Fullerians RFC, 3 caps)

10. Amelia MacDougall (Saracens, Old Albanian RFC, 4 caps)

9. Tori Sellors (Saracens, Sevenoaks Rugby Club, 8 caps)

1. Chloe Flanagan (Saracens, Old Albanian RFC, 5 caps)

2. Niamh Swailes (Sale Sharks, Ryton RUFC, 7 caps)

3. Hannah Sams (Exeter Chiefs, Kingsbridge RFC, 4 caps)

4. Lilli Ives Campion (c) (Loughborough Lightning, Telford Hornets RFC, 7 caps)

5. Jorja Battishill (Gloucester-Hartpury, Gloucester-Hartpury, 5 caps)

6. Tyla Shirley (Harlequins, Hove Rugby Club, 4 caps)

7. Annabel Meta (Trailfinders Women, Wimbledon RFC, 2 caps)

8. Steph Else (Gloucester-Hartpury, Scarborough Rugby Union Football Club, 7 caps)

Replacements

16. Lucy Calladine (Loughborough Lightning, Burton Rugby Football Club, 5 caps)

17. Amelia Williams (Loughborough Lightning, Medway Rugby Football Club, 5 caps)

18. Kira Leat (Trailfinders Women, Havant RFC, 2 caps)

19. Joia Bennett (Saracens, Old Albanian RFC, 5 caps)

20. Ellie Roberts (Loughborough Lightning, Basingstoke RFC, 5 caps)

21. Alex Wilkinson (Henley Hawks, Henley Hawks, 4 caps)

22. Ella Cromack (Harlequins, Reading Rugby Football Club, 3 caps)

23. Carmela Morrall (Loughborough Lightning, Dubai Hurricanes, 4 caps)

England’s Six Nations Women’s Summer Series fixtures and results

4 July – England 33-10 Ireland

9 July – Wales 24-55 England

14 July – England vs. France – 20:00 BST kick-off