England women’s U20 head coach, Lou Meadows, has named her side to take on Scotland Futures tomorrow, Saturday 25 March (KO 19:45), when they open their 2023 international campaign at Kingston Park.
The match will be live streamed on the England Rugby YouTube channel.
Among the matchday squad are 17 England U20 debutants, however seven of those have worn the rose before for England U18, as the England Rugby pathways programme continues to provide a genuine path for the country’s female rugby players.
Maisy Allen (flanker) and Lizzie Duffy (fly half) have been announced as co-captains for the match.
Catherine Wells and Grace Clifford, alongside hooker Amy Dale, form an all-debutant front row.
Lilli Ives Campion and Lola Whitley are the starting locks, while Niamh Orchard (blindside flanker) and Gabriella Nigrelli (No. 8) join Allen in the backrow.
Scrum half Tori Sellors partners Duffy in the halves, with Nancy McGillivray and Phillipa Hendy in the centres.
The back three will all make their debuts, with Francesca Goldthorp and Katie Buchanan to wear the number 11 and 14 shirts respectively, and Leah Brough lines up at full back.
Niamh Swailes, Katherine Baverstock, Niahm Williams, Kendall Waudby, Nicole Wythe, Steph Else, Lucy Heryet, Lucy Weaver, Reneeqa Bonner, Sophie Langford and April Ishida are the finishers.
Those who have purchased a ticket to the Red Roses opening TikTok Six Nations match against Scotland at the same venue (KO 16:45) will be able to watch the England women’s U20 at no extra cost.
Speaking ahead of the game, Meadows said: “This match against Scotland Futures will be a very special moment for all Under-20 players selected, but especially for the 17 debutants who should savour the occasion when they run out onto Kingston Park.
“We’ve had a great chance to spend time together in our development camps and to bond as a group. The players will be able to take their hard work out onto the pitch in the tournament opener tomorrow evening.
“Special thanks go to the local clubs who’ve helped us prepare in the lead up to the fixture, including Whitley Bay Rockliffe RFC who hosted training sessions and were tremendously welcoming of the Under-20 program in the North East, as well as Crossfit More Whitley Bay for hosting our gym session.
“Our first international match of the year presents both an unknown in our opposition but also a wonderful opportunity for us to focus on our own game, and so we’re relishing the chance to take on what I have no doubt will be a strong Scotland Futures side.”
England U20 team vs Scotland
15. Leah Brough (University Worcester Warriors Women)*
14. Katie Buchanan (Exeter Chiefs)*
13. Nancy McGillivray (Exeter Chiefs)
12. Phillipa Hendy (Gloucester-Hartpury)
11. Francesca Goldthorp (Loughborough Lightning)*
10. Lizzie Duffy (Sale Sharks) CC
9. Tori Sellors (Worcester Warriors)
1. Catherine Wells (University Worcester Warriors Women)*
2. Amy Dale (Gloucester-Hartpury)*
3. Grace Clifford (Loughborough Lightning)*
4. Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning)
5. Lola Whitley (Gloucester-Hartpury)*
6. Niamh Orchard (Exeter Chiefs)*
7. Maisy Allen (Exeter Chiefs) CC
8. Gabriella Nigrelli (Bristol Bears)
Finishers
16. Niamh Swailes (Sale Sharks)*
17. Katherine Baverstock (Loughborough Lightning)*
18. Niahm Williams (Wasps FC)*
19. Kendall Waudby (Loughborough Lightning)
20. Nicole Wythe (Harlequins)*
21. Steph Else (Gloucester-Hartpury)*
22. Lucy Heryet (Harlequins)*
23. Lucy Weaver (Loughborough Lightning)*
24. Reneeqa Bonner (Bristol Bears)*
25. Sophie Langford (Exeter Chiefs)*
26. April Ishida (Darlington Mowden Park)
*England U20 debut
