England Women U20s head coach Amy Turner has named her matchday squad for this weekend’s Test against France at Henley Hawks RFC (Saturday 2 April, KO 2pm).
In the second of back-to-back matches against Les Bleues, the young Red Roses are looking to bounce back from last weekend’s 35-14 defeat in Normandy in the match at Dry Leas.
Wing Jenny Hesketh and flanker Maisy Allen co-captain the side which sees Daisy Hibbert Jones (No.8) and England Sevens duo Grace Crompton (wing) and Alicia Maude (scrum half) come in for their first starts of this three-match series.
Entry to the match is free but supporters wishing to attend must book tickets onlinehere.
Car parking is available in the Borlase field (next to HRFC) at a price of £5 per vehicle but must be booked online here.
Allen said: “I feel we prepared really well for last week’s game despite the travel and unfamiliarity.
“The high expectation of playing France away didn’t disappoint with the noise and crowd being bigger than any of us have experienced before.
“Our frustrations came as we were in the game for so long but couldn’t capitalise on key opportunities and ended up letting them in in the last 20 minutes.
“Post-game was hard and we were filled with emotion but I have no doubt we’ll use that to fuel us going into this weekend.
“We’ve reviewed the game and identified some-fix ups which I’m confident we’ll take into this weekend.
“There’s already excitement within the team, with the home crowd and fuel from last weekend I think we’ll play a great game.”
Hesketh added: “With a big French crowd and a brass band playing throughout the game, last weekend was an amazing way to experience our first Test match.
“Games between England and France are always very competitive. France were a physical side but our 1-23 really showed how well we can come together and play. I think we can take a lot from how France played in open play and this weekend we look to play to our strengths even more in these areas.
“In this coming game we will rise to the challenge and I have full belief that we will all leave it out on the pitch.”
Matchday squad to face France
15. Georgina Tasker (Loughborough Lightning)
14. Grace Crompton (Bristol Bears)
13. Nancy McGillivray (Exeter Chiefs)
12. Lizzie Duffy (Sale Sharks)
11. Jenny Hesketh (CC; Bristol Bears)
10. Flo Robinson (Exeter Chiefs)
9. Alicia Maude (Gloucester-Hartpury)
1. China Kill (Bristol Bears)
2. Alana Bainbridge (DMP Durham Sharks)
3. Kelsey Clifford (Saracens)
4. Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning)
5. Gabriella Nigrelli (Bristol Bears)
6. Nikita Prothero (Loughborough Lightning)
7. Maisy Allen (CC; Exeter Chiefs)
8. Daisy Hibbert-Jones (Sale Sharks)
Finishers
16. Rosie Dobson (Harlequins)
17. Abby Middlebrooke (Exeter Chiefs)
18. Georgie Grimes (Exeter Chief)
19. Delaney Burns (Bristol Bears)
20. Megan Barwick (Bath)
21. Abi Kershaw (Worcester Warriors)
22. Pip Hendy (Gloucester-Hartpury)
23. Holly Thorpe (DMP Durham Sharks)
England Women U20 March results
England 38-7 Scotland Futures (Saturday 19 March, Darlington Arena)
France 35-14 England (Saturday 26 March, Stade Jean Bouin, Évreux Athletic Club)
With thanks to the RFU
