England Women’s National Academy side will face USA Women’s Selects team at Newbury RFC on Tuesday 13 November (KO 7.30pm) and then Canada Women A at Cobham RFC on Wednesday 21 November (KO 7.30pm).
As part of the women’s development pathway, the National Academy side includes current senior players alongside up and coming talent.
Both USA and Canada will bring extended squads to England for the Quilter Internationals, with these additional fixtures providing game time opportunities for further players. Wider England squad members will be provided quality competition in an international match environment.
RFU Head of Women’s Performance Nicky Ponsford said: “The National Academy Programme aims to bridge the gap into senior international rugby.
“Our performance pathway has grown and seen considerable success over recent years but it is still a significant further step up to senior level. These fixtures aim to support and provide an opportunity to players who have been performing well in the Tyrrells Premier 15s to be seen against quality international competition.”
England National Academy will be coached and managed by a combination of senior England Women and England Women U20 coaches.
Newbury RFC Chair Hywel Price-Richards said: “Newbury RFC are proud to be hosting another England representative game here at Monks Lane Newbury, previously the home of England Women’s rugby. Women’s rugby here at Newbury, established in 1998, has about 100 players through, juniors, senior and touch and is going from strength to strength. We look forward to welcoming both the England Women and their guests the Women’s Eagles.”
Cobham RFC Chair Stephen Heard said: “Cobham RFC is delighted to host this match .We started our girls section three years ago and have seen increasing levels of interest in the girls and women’s game at both Cobham and within Surrey under the guidance of our Head of Girls Rugby and Surrey Games Development Officer Vicky Alexander .
“We hope that this match will be a catalyst for even more girls and woman to take up the sport.”
USA Rugby General Manager of Women’s High Performance, Emilie Bydwell said: “Being able to have England A on our schedule for this November Tour is incredibly important. Our first two tests against New Zealand and England will stress and stretch us immensely.
“Whilst we know this England A game will also be a very high level of competition, it allows us to rotate our squad and make sure that our less experienced players get an opportunity to truly experience a match day and gain valuable international minutes. This game will allow players that may not have logged a high number of minutes in the first two tests to demonstrate their skill sets and character prior to the final test against Ireland.”
Both games are free entry for fans. For access information, click here for Newbury RFC and here for Cobham RFC.
Above photo shows England Academy side from 2015
England Women National Academy fixtures:
V USA Women’s Selects
Tuesday 13 November, KO 7.30pm
Newbury RFC
V Canada Women A
Wednesday 21 November, KO 7.30pm
Cobham RFC
Courtesy of the RFU
