Ahead of the newly banded 2020/21 Allianz Premier 15s campaign, Head Coach Gerard Mullen has confirmed Harlequins Women’s playing squad for the season ahead
With the new signing of former England Sevens player Beth Wilcock and a blockbuster number of re-commitments, including 13 internationals and 401 Test caps, Harlequins Women’s 40-player squad enters a new era for the Club, with Head Coach Gerard Mullen setting new standards for speed of play and attacking-intent, with the ambition of playing the fastest rugby in the Allianz Premier 15s.
Speaking ahead of Harlequins Women’s return, Mullen said: “We were excited to get the fixtures for the 2020/21 Allianz Premier 15s season. Everyone has been so looking forward to it. The energy around the environment this week has been so high.
“Since I’ve arrived, I’ve been really impressed with the commitment and drive of the playing squad to not just get back to playing rugby again after a long absence, but to take their game to the next level.
“I was pretty clear early on in terms of where I think we can really improve as a team. I think that’s improving our options in attack, our work rate off the ball to have those options and our ability to play to space better to play that bit faster. And in defence to really improve in our aggression and our intensity to put a bit more pressure on the opposition.
“I think there’s always room for growth, and I really think we can challenge the girls and take our game to levels that haven’t really been seen before in the Women’s game, and really improve the product. Which will really help us on the field, but also help grow the game that much more.
“Within this playing squad we have a fantastic balance of exciting young talent and vastly experienced players. And we have hundreds of international caps within our team, we also have some of the best non-international players in the Women’s game, who I strongly believe will not only drive us forward to succeed individually and go on to the next level, but to achieve team success in the league.
“This is an exciting time for the Club, we can’t wait to get out there and put some of the hard work we’ve done this summer into practice.”
Head of the Women’s Rugby Programme Atlanta St John said: “After a long seven months it’s fantastic to see us return to match action. Gerard has hit the ground running and we are excited to see him and Forwards Coach Karen Findlay take charge of our first match back.
“I also want to say a personal thank you to our players and our staff, who have gone above and beyond during this period to ensure we can safely return to The Stoop.”
Forwards:
Abbie Ward
Alex Eddie
Alice Sheffield
Amy Cokayne
Anna Caplice
Becky Piddlesden
Bethan Dainton
Chloe Edwards
Davinia Catlin
Elle Bloor
Emily Robinson
Fi Fletcher
Jade Konkel
Jade Mullen
Kate Jenkins
Katy Mew
Lauren Brooks
Leah Lyons
Rosie Dobson
Sam McCarthy
Sarah Beckett
Shaunagh Brown
Tove Viksten
Vickii Cornborough
Backs:
Beth Wilcock
Charlotte Wellbelove
Chloe Rollie
Ella Amory
Ellie Green
Emily Scott
Heather Cowell
Izzy Mayhew
Jess Breach
Lagi Tuima
Leanne Riley
Laura Parry
Lucy Packer
Rachael Burford
Tess Braunerova
Vic Petersson
Harlequins Women kick-off their 2020/21 Allianz Premier 15s campaign at The Stoop this Saturday behind closed doors as DMP Durham Sharks travel to Twickenham.
Thanks to Harlequins
However the elite squad later moved to be permanently based at Surrey Sports Park at the University of Surrey in Guildford, with the maintaining their links with the local area and keeping Old Isleworthians RFC as their training and playing base.