England Women Head Coach Simon Middleton has named the National Academy match-day 23 to play USA Women’s Selects at Newbury RFC on Tuesday 13 November (KO 7.30pm).
The squad combines a mix of England pathway players and more established names, captained by Richmond FC lock Rowena Burnfield, one of five players with senior international experience.
Five members of the 2018/19 U20 squad have been named with Gloucester-Hartpury centre Shauna Bennett, Harlequins fly half Ellie Green and Loughborough Lightning scrum half Megan Davey starting, while Detysha Harper (Firwood Waterloo Ladies) and Merryn Doidge (Bristol Bears Women) are named on the bench.
With Gloucester-Hartpury centre Millie Wood called into the Red Roses and Loughborough Lightning trio Becky Noon, Charlotte Pearce and Ella Wrywas plus Richmond wing Rachel Laqeretabua ruled out of this first game through injury, four additional players have been brought into the squad. Bennett starts at outside centre, with Georgie Lingham on the wing, and Caity Mattinson (Bristol Bears) and Rownita Marston (Bristol Bears) on the bench.
Rosie Galligan (Saracens), Green and Harper represented England U20 during their 3-0 series win in Canada in August.
Middleton said: “We are looking forward to giving this group of players the opportunity to test themselves against quality international opposition. They are all talented individuals who have been playing well at club level.
“They have not had long to come together as a group but it will be a good opportunity for them to be seen and prove themselves in what will be a challenging environment.”
The development side play two games this month, next taking on Canada Women A at Cobham RFC on Wednesday 21 November (KO 7.30pm). Both games are free entry for fans. For access information, click here for Newbury RFC and here for Cobham RFC.
National Academy match-day 23
15. Olivia Jones (Loughborough Lightning)
14. Ellie Underwood (Gloucester-Hartpury)
13. Shauna Bennett (Gloucester-Hartpury)*
12. Lauren Cattell (Saracens)**
11. Georgie Lingham (Saracens)
10. Ellie Green (Harlequins)*
9. Megan Davey (Loughborough Lightning)*
1. Bryony Cleall (Saracens)
2. Clara Nielson (Bristol Bears Women)
3. Sasha Acheson (Gloucester-Hartpury)**
4. Rowena Burnfield (Richmond FC)** ©
5. Rosie Galligan (Saracens)
6. Katherine Hobson (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
7. Poppy Leitch (Bristol Bears Women)**
8. Elizabeth Crake (Wasps FC Ladies)
16. Hannah West (Wasps FC Ladies)
17. Detysha Harper (Firwood Waterloo Ladies)*
18. Chloe Edwards (Harlequins)
19. Amelia Buckland-Hurry (Bristol Bears Women)
20. Rownita Marston (Bristol Bears Women)
21. Caity Mattinson (Bristol Bears Women)**
22. Beth Blacklock (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
23. Merryn Doidge (Bristol Bears Women)*
* England Women U20 218/19 squad member
** England Women capped player
Courtesy of the RFU
