England Women U20 head coach Jo Yapp has named her match day 23 for the England Women U20 team’s fixture against France Women U20 in Stadium Nord, Villeneuve d’Ascq, Lille on Saturday 24th February, K.O. 14:00 GMT, live stream via www.ffr.fr .
Yapp makes two changes to the side that secured their biggest ever win – 44-0 – against Army Women, and saw 13 players make their England U20 debuts at the Army Rugby Stadium last Wednesday.
The starting 15 remains unchanged with full back Emma Uren (Saracens Women) captaining the side. Brooke Clarke (Worcester Valkyries) – who was awarded player of the match last week – and Lilian Stoeger-Goddard (Bristol Ladies) are included on the wings.
The centre partnership is formed with Phoebe Murray (Bristol Ladies) – who scored two tries against Army – and Lucy Attwood (Bristol Ladies) alongside half backs Tazmin Bricknell (Gloucester Hartpury) and Helena Rowland (Saracens Women) who are included at nine and ten.
The scrum again features Ellena Perry (Saracens Women), Leah Bartlett (Loughborough Lightning) and Ellie Mulhearn (Bristol Ladies) in the front row with Hollie Cunningham (Bristol Ladies) and Rosie Galligan (Saracens Women) in the second row.
In the back row, Sarah Beckett starts at No.8 with Charlie Wilcock (Worcester Valkyries) – who is vice captain of the side – at open side flanker and Tabitha Copson (Gloucester – Hartpury) included at blindside flanker.
Two new additions are named on the bench, Ellie Gilbert (Gloucester-Hartpury) and Zoe Harrison (Saracens Women), who is available for selection after sustaining a minor injury (knee) while in camp with the senior England women’s team.
Michaella Roberts (Bristol Ladies) – who scored a try against the Army – Rianna Manson (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Hannah Botterman ( Saracens Women), Cara Brincat (Worcester Valkyries), Ella Wyrwas (Saracens Women)and Lizzie Adam (Loughborough Lightning) are also named on the bench.
England Women U20 head coach Jo Yapp today said: “We expect France to be a very strong side, but as a squad we are focussing on our own strengths and how we can impose our game plan.
“Playing France away provides a unique learning experience, bringing new challenges – both on and off field – for the players as they continue to develop through the player pathway. As a squad we are really looking forward to taking on this new and exciting challenge.”
England Women U20 match day 23 to play France Women U20
15. Emma Uren © (Saracens Women)
14. Lilian Stoeger-Goddard (Bristol Ladies)
13. Phoebe Murray (Bristol Ladies)
12. Lucy Attwood (Bristol Ladies)
11. Brooke Clarke (Worcester Valkyries)
10. Helena Rowland (Saracens Women)
9. Tazmin Bricknell (Gloucester-Hartpury Women RFC)
1. Ellena Perry (Saracens Women)
2. Leah Bartlett (Loughborough Lightning)
3. Ellie Mulhearn (Bristol Ladies)
4. Hollie Cunningham (Bristol Ladies)
5. Rosie Galligan (Saracens Women)
6. Tabitha Copson (Gloucester- Hartpury Women)
7. Charlie Wilcock (Worcester Valkyries)
8. Sarah Beckett (Firwood Waterloo Ladies)
16. Ellie Gilbert (Gloucester-Hartpury)
17. Michaella Roberts (Bristol Ladies)
18. Hannah Botterman (Saracens Women)
19. Cara Brincat (Worcester Valkyries)
20. Rianna Manson (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
21. Ella Wyrwas (Saracens Women)
22. Zoe Harrison (Saracens Women)
23. Lizzie Adam (Loughborough Lightning)
England Women U20 games 2017-2018
England Women U20 44 – 0 Army
Tries: Clarke (3), Murray (2), Perry, Stoeger-Goddard, Roberts
Cons: Attwood (2)
France Women U20 v England Women U20
Stadium Nord, Villeneuve d’Ascq, Lille
24th February, K.O 14:00 GMT (15:00 Local time)
England Women U20 v France Women U20
Basingstoke RFC, 17th March 2018, KO 7:30pm
Visit http://www.basingstokerfc.com/ for details
Report courtesy of the RFU
