Head coach LJ Lewis and assistant coach Sarah McKenna have selected their England U21 Women’s squad to face Ireland in the 2026 Six Nations Women’s U21 Series.
The Nick Newbold Stadium hosts the Matchday 2 meeting this Saturday (15:00 BST kick-off) with the game streamed live on the England Rugby YouTube channel.
Gloucester-Hartpury’s Sophie McQueen resumes her role as captain in Coventry for England’s first home fixture of the competition, having led her side to wins over Spain senior women and Scotland U21 Women this month.
Hayley Jones, Annabel Meta and Jodie Verghese return to the U21 fold and are rewarded with starts following on from training experience with John Mitchell’s Red Roses.
Fellow senior trainee and Matchday 1 Player of the Match Carmela Morrall is named as a replacement.
Jemma Jo Linkins and Kaya Acton will earn their maiden U21 caps, with Millie Hyett and Tamsin Baynes also reintegrated into the starting XV.
Lucy Simpson, Lilly Plowman, Jasmine Adonri and Ashton Adcock are added to the replacements bench, with Lauren Bailey in contention for her first cap.
England U21 Women conclude their Six Nations Women’s U21 Series against France (15:00 BST kick-off) at Goldington Road, the home of Bedford Blues on Sunday 10th May.
LJ Lewis said: “We were pleased with a relentless performance away to Scotland, which reflected the development our group has committed to and the enjoyment they are taking from showing courage under pressure in key moments.
“Our mindset now is firmly on the next two-week block, building intensity in everything we do and continuing to strengthen our bond as a group while pushing performance standards.
“Ahead of an exciting two home games, I encourage our supporters to get behind this young squad, whose connection and energy in recent weeks has demonstrated their ambition to represent the Red Roses.”
Tickets to England’s Six Nations Women’s U21 Series home fixtures against Ireland and France are available now.
England U21 Women’s team to face Ireland (includes club, community club and previous U21 caps)
15 Solana Shaw de Leon (Harlequins, Sutton and Epsom, 1 cap)
14 Grace White (Trailfinders Women, Winscombe RFC, 2 caps) *
13 Millie Hyett (Bristol Bears, Evesham RFC, 9 caps)
12 Molly Bunker (Gloucester-Hartpury, Havant RFC, 3 caps)
11 Jemma-Jo Linkins (Saracens, Ashford RFC, uncapped) *
10 Ella Cromack (Harlequins, Reading RFC, 8 caps)
9 Amelia MacDougall (Saracens, Old Albanian RFC, 8 caps)
1 Annabel Meta (Trailfinders Women, Wimbledon RFC, 5 caps)
2 Hayley Jones (Trailfinders Women, Ealing Trailfinders, 1 cap)
3 Aisha Jah (Bristol Bears, Mansfield, 1 cap)
4 Jodie Verghese (Saracens, Thurrock RFC, 1 cap) *
5 Keevy Fitzpatrick (Loughborough Lightning, Sudbury RFC, 3 caps)
6 Tamsin Baynes (Loughborough Lightning, Market Harborough RFC, 1 cap)
7 Kaya Acton (Loughborough Lightning, Hull Ionians RFC, uncapped)
8 Sophie McQueen (c) (Gloucester-Hartpury, Chippenham RFC, 4 caps)
Replacements
16 Lucy Simpson (Gloucester-Hartpury, Rams RFC, 3 caps)
17 Amelia Williams (Loughborough Lightning, Medway RFC, 11 caps)
18 Lilly Plowman (Exeter Chiefs, Crediton RFC, 2 caps)
19 Jasmine Adonri (Trailfinders Women, Dartford Valley Rugby Club, 3 caps)
20 Grace Keel (Harlequins, North Bristol, 1 cap)
21 Ashton Adcock (Loughborough Lightning, Tamworth, 1 cap)
22 Carmela Morrall (Loughborough Lightning, Dubai Hurricanes, 8 caps)
23 Lauren Bailey (Bristol Bears, Dings Crusaders, uncapped)
*A limited number of U23 players can be selected to widen playing opportunities on the pathway to full senior honours
England U21 Women’s 2026 Six Nations Series fixtures and results
(Warm-up friendly) Spain senior women 17-29 England U21 Women – Saturday 4th April – Estadio El Pantano, Villajoyosa
Round 1 – Scotland 12-51 England – Saturday 18th April, 11:00 BST kick-off – Hive Stadium, Edinburgh
Round 2 – England vs. Ireland – Saturday 2nd May, 15:00 BST kick-off – Nick Newbold Stadium, Coventry
Round 3 – England vs. France – Sunday 10th May, 15:00 BST kick-off – Goldington Road, Bedford
With thanks to the RFU
