Head coach James Cooper has confirmed the England U18 Women’s squads to face Wales and Scotland in the 2025 U18 Women’s Six Nations Festival.
England face Wales at 11:00 BST this Tuesday (15th) morning at Wellington College to open Matchday 2 of the Festival, then taking on Scotland at midday in two 35-minute games. Supporters can stream the U18 Festival live on the Six Nations U20 YouTube channel, with tickets available at all three match days of the women’s festival free of charge.
Tournament captain Hayley Jones leads the side against Wales, whilst Betsy Meads takes the leadership role against Scotland. The Loughborough College back-row forward switches to the openside after making her Six Nations debut on the blindside flank.
Cooper’s side started the 2025 Festival in emphatic fashion with four tries from the back three in Hannah Smyth, Jo Vosakiwaiwai and Lily Pereira dos Santos, as well as Tamsin Baynes to defeat Italy 28-5 before succumbing 21-0 to Ireland.
England face France in a 70-minute fixture on the final matchday of the 2025 U18 Women’s Six Nations Festival this Saturday (19th, 14:15 kick-off).
James Cooper said: “Whilst the result against Ireland was disappointing, our players abided by our courageous principles and now with further refinement, they’re incredibly eager to make steps forward at the Festival.
“Friday’s games were positive learning opportunities for us as a squad. Our players have taken ownership and led their reviews and previews and we’re confident in our processes.
“We’re excited to test new combinations in our respective lineups this Monday to enable this group to bond together with a shared mindset heading into a second week.”
England U18 Women’s team to face Wales (includes Player Development Group (PDG) centre, community club, school/college and U18 caps)
15 Hannah Smyth (Jo Yapp PDG, Kettering Rugby Club, Hartpury College, 5 caps)
14 Lily Pereira dos Santos (Maggie Alphonsi PDG, Finchley, Oakland College, 2 caps)
13 Isabelle Clist (Nolli Waterman PDG, Cullompton, Wellington School, 2 caps)
12 Charlotte Brookes (Rachael Burford PDG, Guildfordians RFC, Cranleigh School, 2 caps)
11 Josephine Harris (Emma Mitchell PDG, Chinnor, City of Oxford College, 3 caps)
10 Katherine Dyke (Nolli Waterman PDG, Winscombe Warriors, Exeter College, 2 caps)
9 Ashton Adcock (Becky Essex PDG, Tamworth, Loughborough College, 6 caps)
1 Aisha Jah (Becky Essex PDG, Mansfield, West Notts College, 5 caps)
2 Hayley Jones (c) (Emma Mitchell PDG, Ealing Trailfinders, Henley College, 6 caps)
3 Isabel van der Straaten (Maggie Alphonsi PDG, Eton Manor, Mossbourne Community Academy, 6 caps)
4 Tamsin Baynes (Becky Essex PDG, Market Harborough, Loughborough College, 7 caps)
5 Demelza Short (Nolli Waterman PDG, Crediton, Blundells School, 3 caps)
6 Joy Okechukwu (Rachel Burford PDG, Havant, Peter Symonds College, 2 caps)
7 Jess Taylor (Maggie Alphonsi PDG, Ipswich, Oaklands College, 2 caps)
8 Honey Kerslake (Nolli Waterman PDG, Crediton, Exeter College, 2 caps)
England U18 Women’s team to face Scotland (includes Player Development Group (PDG) centre, community club, school/college and U18 caps)
15 Eva Ladyman (Becky Essex PDG, Olney, Loughborough College, 2 caps)
14 Jo Vosakiwaiwai (Emma Mitchell PDG, Andover RFC, City of Oxford College, 7 caps)
13 Summer Charlesworth (Helen Clayton PDG, Mansfield RUFC, City of Oxford College, 1 cap)
12 Charlotte Wreford (Nolli Waterman PDG, Crediton RFC, Exeter College, 2 caps)
11 Lily Pereira dos Santos (Maggie Alphonsi PDG, Finchley, Oakland College, 2 caps)
10 Holly Jackson (Emma Mitchell PDG, Horsham, Cardinal Newman, 2 caps)
9 Charlotte Coyle (Emma Mitchell PDG, Marlow RUFC, Leighton Park, 1 cap)
1 Isla Pomroy (Emma Mitchell PDG, Banbury RUFC, City of Oxford College, 4 caps)
2 Harli Stanton (Becky Essex PDG, Sandal, Loughborough College, 2 caps)
3 Sylvia Gallagher-Ball (Becky Essex PDG, Leicester Forest, Loughborough College, 2 caps)
4 Grace Keel (Nolli Waterman PDG, North Bristol, SGS College, 2 caps)
5 Demelza Short (Nolli Waterman PDG, Crediton, Blundells School, 3 caps)
6 Seren Coombs (Rachel Burford PDG, Jersey RFC, Le Rocquier School, 2 caps)
7 Betsy Meads (c) (Becky Essex PDG, Newark, Loughborough College, 2 caps)
8 Maisie Masquelier (Jo Yapp PDG, Dings Crusaders RFC, Exeter College, 1 cap)
Rugby Football Union Women’s Player Development Group (PDG) Centres:
North East – Sarah Hunter PDG (Northumberland, Durham, Cumbria)
Yorkshire – Karen Almond PDG (Yorkshire)
North West – Helen Clayton PDG (Lancashire, Cheshire, Staffordshire)
Midlands 1 – Jo Yapp PDG (North Midlands, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire)
Midlands 2 – Becky Essex PDG (Nottinghamshire Lincolnshire Derbyshire, Leicestershire, East Midlands)
Central South & Eastern – Maggie Alphonsi PDG (Middlesex, Essex, Hertfordshire, Eastern Counties)
South East – Rachael Burford PDG (Kent, Surrey, Sussex)
South – Emma Mitchell PDG (Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Dorset & Wiltshire)
South West – Danielle ‘Nolli’ Waterman PDG (Cornwall, Devon, Somerset)
England U18 Women’s 2025 U18 Six Nations Festival fixtures
Each team will play 2 x 35-minute matches on MD1 and MD2, followed by 1 x 70-minute match on MD3 (MD1 – Friday 11th April, MD2 – Tuesday 15th April & MD3 Saturday 19th April).
Matchday 1 (Friday 11th April, 35min matches) – Italy 5-28 England (15:00 kick-off) – England 0-21 Ireland (17:00 kick-off)
Matchday 2 (Tuesday 15th April) (35min matches) – Wales vs. England (11:00 kick-off) – England vs. Scotland (12:00 kick-off)
Matchday 3 (Saturday 19th April) (70min match) – England vs. France (14:15 kick-off)
*All kick-off times are in local time (UK BST)
With thanks to the RFU
