Head coach James Cooper has confirmed the England U20 Women matchday 23 for his side’s first Transatlantic Quad Series encounter with Canada this Friday (18th).
The fixture kicks-off at 17:30 BST at Cardiff Arms Park and will be streamed live on RugbyPass TV.
Number eight Lucy Finch of Loughborough Lightning will lead the squad as captain after attaining four U18 Women’s caps for her country. Centre Sarah Parry, who recently joined Harlequins Women, is the selected as Friday’s vice-captain.
Cooper and LJ Lewis, the latter of whom will take charge of next Wednesday’s fixture against USA, have selected a largely U19 cohort of players for the series. The programme has specifically designed to support targeted players transitioning from the U18 age-grade and for U20 players not selected for the recent Six Nations Women’s Summer Series.
The England Women’s Pathway is integrated this year following the U20 Women’s tri-series between Wales, USA and Canada in the summer of 2023, and continues on key developments for the age-grade after the RFU’s announcement of new centralised Player Development Group (PDG) centres, investment from The British & Irish Lions funding and the inaugural Six Nations Women’s Summer Series.
James Cooper said: “We’re incredibly excited to be a part of a really important series for the women’s pathway, the girls are determined to make a positive impression over the next week.
“Amidst a busy period for the pathway, we have taken these games as a chance to set out a platform for our players that are graduating the U18 programme alongside U20 players.
“It’s a unique opportunity and one myself, the coaches and players are all acutely aware of, and are relishing the challenge of Canada this Friday.”
England U20 Women’s team to face Canada
15 Daisy Aspinall (Hartpury College)
14 Abigail Pritchard (Hartpury College)
13 Sarah Parry (vc) (Harlequins)
12 Molly Bunker (Hartpury College)
11 Connie Clarke (Exeter Chiefs)
10 Becca Jackson (Hartpury College)
9 Poppy Love (Henley College)
1 Zara Green (Harlequins)
2 Lucy Simpson (Hartpury College)
3 Ruby Winstanley (Harlequins)
4 Jasmine Adonri (City of Oxford College)
5 Josie Plant (Exeter Chiefs)
6 Iley Bailey (Harlequins)
7 Kaya Acton (Bishop Burton College)
8 Lucy Finch (c) (Loughborough Lightning)
Replacements
16 Heidi Pashaei-Tarighoun (SGS Filton College)
17 Bethan Candlin (Loughborough College)
18 Keira Muir (Oaklands College)
19 Thea Sylvester (Trailfinders Women)
20 Abbie Hart (Loughborough College)
21 Emily Lunn (Henley College)
22 Jess Doyle (North East Centre of Excellence)
23 Tilly Pulfer (Exeter College)
England’s Transatlantic Quad Series fixtures
Friday 19th July 2024 – England vs. Canada – 17:30 BST kick-off – Cardiff Arms Park
Wednesday 24th July 2024 – England vs. USA – 17:30 BST kick-off – Cardiff Arms Park
With thanks to the RFU
