England Women’s Pathway team to play Wales
Head coach LJ Lewis has confirmed the England Women’s Pathway team to take on Wales in the 2024 Six Nations Women’s Summer Series on Tuesday 9 July in Parma, Italy (8pm KO).
The meet at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi follows from a 33-10 victory for England over Ireland last Thursday.
For the first time this season, LJ Lewis and assistant coach Sarah McKenna have named a fully-capped squad.
The last time these sides met it was the Emerging Roses who ran out winners, crossing for seven tries, including a hat-trick from debutant wing, Katie Shillaker.
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.
TEAM TO FACE WALES
Starting
15. Samantha Shiels (Trailfinders Women, Grasshoppers RFC, 2 caps)
14. Evelyn Clarke (Loughborough Lightning, Worcester Girls RFC, 2 caps)
13. Sophie Langford (Exeter Chiefs, Hong Kong Football Club, 2 caps)
12. Millie Hyett (Gloucester-Hartpury, Worcester Girls RFC, 4 caps)
11. Millie David (Bristol Bears, Reading RFC, 4 caps)
10. Ella Cromack (Harlequins, Reading RFC, 2 caps)
9. Alex Wilkinson (Henley Hawks, 3 caps)
1. Amelia Williams (Loughborough Lightning, Medway RFC, 4 caps)
2. Niamh Swailes (Sale Sharks, Ryton RUFC, 6 caps)
3. Kira Leat (Trailfinders Women, Havant RFC, 1 cap)
4. Tyla Shirley (Harlequins, Hove Rugby Club, 3 caps)
5. Jorja Battishill (Gloucester-Hartpury, 4 caps)
6. Anna Richardson (Exeter University, Tynedale RFC, 1 cap)
7. Ellie Roberts (Loughborough Lightning, Basingstoke RFC, 4 caps)
8. Steph Else (Gloucester-Hartpury, Scarborough RUFC, 6 caps)
Replacements
16. Amelia Hyndman (Sale Sharks, Bishop Auckland Rugby Club, 1 cap)
17. Abby Middlebrooke (Exeter Chiefs, 3 caps)
18. Chloe Flanagan (Saracens, Old Albanian RFC, 4 caps)
19. Lucy Calladine (Loughborough Lightning, Burton RFC, 4 caps)
20. Joia Bennett (Saracens, Old Albanian RFC, 4 caps)
21. Tori Sellors (Saracens, Sevenoaks RFC, 7 caps)
22. Katie Shillaker (Harlequins, Horsham RFC, 1 cap)
23. Lia Green (Loughborough Lightning, Winscombe RFC, 4 caps)
LEWIS ON SELECTION
“The last week has been a fantastic experience for myself and the team, it’s inspiring being surrounded by a collective responsibility of commitment to growing the women’s game through the pathway.
“Our team got off to a positive start on Thursday with victory over Ireland that offered us many learnings to take forward into a new Test with Wales. Liza Burgess and her side present to us a new challenge that excites and motivates us in equal measure.
“We faced Wales in our Spring schedule but the nature of the tournament with quick turnarounds heightens the level of expectation for all involved, and that is something we’re willing to exceed.”
FIXTURES & RESULTS
England 33-10 Ireland
9 July - Wales v England - 20:00 BST kick-off
14 July - England v France - 20:00 BST kick-off