Head coach LJ Lewis and assistant coach Sarah McKenna have confirmed their England U20 Women’s matchday 23 to take on France this weekend in Rouen.
The pathway side travel to the Stade Jean-Mermoz this Saturday evening (17:00 BST kick-off) for their second fixture of the campaign.
The U20 Women were victorious over Army Women in their first meeting in five years back in March. England ran in 15 tries, with debutant Ella Cromack contributing 25 points and Millie Hyett, Steph Else and Ellie Roberts registering try braces to finish 99-5.
Tori Sellors of Saracens captains the side in France in what will be her sixth U20 cap, the scrum-half forming part of an unchanged backline. Jorja Battishill and Joia Bennett coming into the back five forwards in the only alterations to the starting XV from March’s encounter against the Army at Havant RFC.
Nine of Saturday’s starting XV earned their first U20 caps against the Army; Lia Green, Millie Hyett, Amelia MacDougall, Sophie Hopkins, Ella Cromack, Chloe Flanagan, Jorja Battishill, Joia Bennett and Ellie Roberts.
Forwards Josie Plant (Exeter Chiefs) and Tyla Shirley (Harlequins) are in line for their debuts from the replacements bench in the Normandy capital.
Seven of the nine Premiership Women’s Rugby clubs are represented in the squad makeup, with 10 players accruing 83 top-flight appearances to date. Women’s Championship South 1 side Henley Hawks are also represented through scrum-half Alex Wilkinson.
Lewis’ U20 Women face Wales at Dings Crusaders RFC in the final outing of their spring schedule on 4th May, with tickets free of charge. The fixture will also be streamed on the England Rugby YouTube channel.
LJ Lewis said: “The group were thrilled with our performance against the Army. In the women’s pathway, we encourage our players to be adventurous and myself and Sarah were delighted with the output of the squad on the day.
“We as a unit are acutely aware that the demands will naturally increase when facing France away from home, but the excitement that evokes has been evident in training at Bisham this week.
“The girls have had an important block of activity with their clubs and universities in recent weeks, and I expect the same adventurous approach against France from minute one on Saturday evening.”
England U20 Women’s team to face France (includes current club, university and community club)
15 Lia Green (Loughborough Lightning, Loughborough University, Winscombe RFC) *
14 Reneeqa Bonner (Bristol Bears, Hartpury University, Clevedon Rugby Club) *
13 Millie Hyett (Gloucester-Hartpury, Hartpury College, Worcester Girls RFC) *
12 Amelia MacDougall (Saracens, Oaklands College, Old Albanian RFC) *
11 Sophie Hopkins (Sale Sharks, University of Manchester, Fullerians RFC) *
10 Ella Cromack (Harlequins, City of Oxford College, Reading Rugby Football Club) *
9 Tori Sellors (c) (Saracens, University of Worcester, Sevenoaks Rugby Club) *
1 Chloe Flanagan (Saracens, Old Albanian RFC) *
2 Niamh Swailes (Sale Sharks, Salford University, Ryton RUFC) *
3 Catherine Wells (Loughborough Lightning, University of Worcester, Barkers Butts RFC) *
4 Lola Whitley (Gloucester-Hartpury, Hartpury College, Sudbury RFC) *
5 Jorja Battishill (Gloucester-Hartpury, Hartpury University, Gloucester-Hartpury) *
6 Joia Bennett (Saracens, Loreto College, Old Albanian RFC) *
7 Ellie Roberts (Loughborough Lightning, Loughborough University, Basingstoke RFC) *
8 Steph Else (Gloucester-Hartpury, Hartpury University, Scarborough Rugby Union Football Club) *
Replacements
16 Amelia Williams (Loughborough Lightning, Loughborough University, Medway Rugby Football Club) *
17 Lucy Calladine (Loughborough Lightning, University of Worcester, Burton Rugby Football Club) *
18 Hannah Sams (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College, Kingsbridge RFC) *
19 Josie Plant (Exeter Chiefs, Perranporth RFC)
20 Tyla Shirley (Harlequins, Cardinal Newman Sixth Form, Hove Rugby Club)
21 Alex Wilkinson (Henley Hawks, Oxford University, Henley Hawks) *
22 Carmela Morrall (Loughborough Lightning, Loughborough University, Dubai Hurricanes) *
23 Millie David (Bristol Bears, University of West England, Reading Rugby Football Club) *
*denotes a player capped at U20 level for England
England U20 Women’s spring 2024 fixtures and results
England U20 Women 99-5 Army – 23 March 2024 (Havant RFC)
France U20 Women vs. England U20 Women – 20 April 2024 (Stade Jean-Mermoz, Rouen, 17:00 BST kick-off)
England U20 Women vs. Wales U20 Women – 4 May 2024 (Dings Crusaders RFC, 14:00 BST kick-off)
With thanks to the RFU
