The final England Women’s Pathway matchday squad of the 2024 Six Nations Women’s Summer Series has been confirmed by head coach LJ Lewis, who readies her team for the challenge of France.
England face Les Bleues this Sunday (14th) on Matchday 3 of the inaugural series, kicking-off at 20:00 BST at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma. Sunday’s concluding fixture will be available to watch live on the England Rugby YouTube channel. Each union can select three U23 players per matchday squad.
Lilli Ives Campion of Loughborough Lightning returns to the matchday fold as captain for the third time after steering her country to an opening day, 33-10 win over Ireland, where the lock picked up two tries. Campion will pack down alongside fellow transitional Red Roses contracted player and 2023/24 Premiership Women’s Rugby Young Player of the Season, Steph Else.
The strength in depth at the disposal of LJ Lewis and assistant coach Sarah McKenna sees Matchday 2 try scorers Kira Leat (2) and Ellie Roberts named amongst Sunday’s replacements. Harlequins fly-half Ella Cromack, who chipped in with 10 points and two try assists against Wales, will also seek to make an impact as a finisher.
A first tournament start is awarded to Cromack’s Harlequins clubmate and winger Katie Shillaker, who has three tries and one try assist in two caps for the England U20 Women.
The Emerging Roses ran in nine tries to secure their second victory of the Series against Wales, winning 24-55 on Matchday 2 last Tuesday. France, coached by Caroline Suné, have also maintained a perfect start to the Series with healthy wins over Wales (57-12) and Scotland (10-67).
The Women’s Summer Series is intended to offer players a vital new opportunity to graduate through the rugby development pathway, from the U18 level. For those players who may have missed the U18 entry point onto the rugby pathway, the Women’s Summer Series opens up another route to international rugby.
LJ Lewis said: “The team have worked incredibly hard over the tournament to achieve the results and are proving themselves as the future of women’s rugby. This tournament has been a showcase of talent across all unions, and it’s vital that the work continues in years to come to strengthen the pathways.
“Our players have learnt a great deal about themselves, our processes, our unity and our strength as future Roses over the past two weeks. Our challenge now is to channel all our learnings into this Sunday’s game.
“We will be physically ready for our test against France, they are the perfect challenge to end the tournament. What is crucial now, is to stay focused on ourselves as a squad and I look forward to the girls taking the field on Sunday.”
England Women’s Pathway team to face France (includes current club, community club and U20 caps)
15 Lia Green (Loughborough Lightning, Winscombe RFC, 5 caps)
14 Katie Shillaker (Harlequins, Horsham RFC, 2 caps)
13 Sophie Langford (Exeter Chiefs, Hong Kong Football Club, 3 caps)
12 Millie Hyett (Gloucester-Hartpury, Worcester Girls RFC, 5 caps)
11 Sophie Hopkins (Sale Sharks, Fullerians RFC, 3 caps)
10 Amelia MacDougall (Saracens, Old Albanian RFC, 4 caps)
9 Tori Sellors (Saracens, Sevenoaks Rugby Club, 8 caps)
1 Chloe Flanagan (Saracens, Old Albanian RFC, 5 caps)
2 Niamh Swailes (Sale Sharks, Ryton RUFC, 7 caps)
3 Hannah Sams (Exeter Chiefs, Kingsbridge RFC, 4 caps)
4 Lilli Ives Campion (c) (Loughborough Lightning, Telford Hornets RFC, 7 caps)
5 Jorja Battishill (Gloucester-Hartpury, Gloucester-Hartpury, 5 caps)
6 Tyla Shirley (Harlequins, Hove Rugby Club, 4 caps)
7 Annabel Meta (Trailfinders Women, Wimbledon RFC, 2 caps)
8 Steph Else (Gloucester-Hartpury, Scarborough Rugby Union Football Club, 7 caps)
Replacements
16 Lucy Calladine (Loughborough Lightning, Burton Rugby Football Club, 5 caps)
17 Amelia Williams (Loughborough Lightning, Medway Rugby Football Club, 5 caps)
18 Kira Leat (Trailfinders Women, Havant RFC, 2 caps)
19 Joia Bennett (Saracens, Old Albanian RFC, 5 caps)
20 Ellie Roberts (Loughborough Lightning, Basingstoke RFC, 5 caps)
21 Alex Wilkinson (Henley Hawks, Henley Hawks, 4 caps)
22 Ella Cromack (Harlequins, Reading Rugby Football Club, 3 caps)
23 Carmela Morrall (Loughborough Lightning, Dubai Hurricanes, 4 caps)
England’s Six Nations Women’s Summer Series fixtures and results
4 July 2024 – England 33-10 Ireland – 17:30 BST kick-off
9 July 2024 – Wales 24-55 England – 20:00 BST kick-off
14 July 2024 – England vs. France – 20:00 BST kick-off
With thanks to the RFU
