Head coach LJ Lewis has named the first England Women’s Pathway matchday squad of the 2024 Six Nations Women’s Summer Series, who face Ireland this Thursday (4th) in Parma, Italy.
The first of three matchdays begins at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, with the match kicking-off at 17:30 BST and will be streamed live on the England Rugby YouTube channel. Each union can select up to three U23 players per matchday squad.
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.
Loughborough Lightning lock Lilli Ives Campion, who previously led the U20 Women in their 99-5 win against Army Women, resumes her captaincy for the tournament and is accompanied by Tyla Shirley (Harlequins) in the engine room.
Lewis and assistant coach Sarah McKenna can also count on the experience of 2024 Allianz Cup winning, Saracens half-back partnership in Tori Sellors and Amelia MacDougall, as well as recent Premiership Women’s Rugby victor with Gloucester-Hartpury, Millie Hyett.
Anna Richardson of Exeter University is awarded her full debut in the blindside flanker role whilst Trailfinders Women’s Kira Leat could also make her debut from the replacements bench.
In June, the England Women’s Pathway prepared for the first Women’s Summer Series with an opposed training session against Ireland hosted at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre.
Following Thursday’s opening matchday, England will face Wales (9th July, 20:00 BST kick-off) and France (14th July, 20:00 BST kick-off) at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi with all fixtures available to view live on the England Rugby YouTube channel.
LJ Lewis said: “Our recent session at Bisham Abbey gave us a good flavour of the competitiveness we know from Ireland, which we only expect to naturally be raised to match the occasion this Thursday.
“That said, as a group we’re determined to prove ourselves at this level and make sure the first Women’s Summer Series tournament will be one to remember for our pathway. The next few weeks are the time for growth and opportunity for the players, coaches and staff of women’s pathway rugby in Europe.
“We’ve learnt a great deal about ourselves and our processes in recent months with good Tests against Army Women, Wales and France too. We’re conscious we have to remain focused and still raise our levels on the biggest stage.”
England Women’s Pathway team to face Ireland (includes current club, community club and U20 caps)
15 Lia Green (Loughborough Lightning, Winscombe RFC, 3 caps)
14 Sophie Hopkins (Sale Sharks, Fullerians RFC, 2 caps)
13 Millie Hyett (Gloucester-Hartpury, Worcester Girls RFC, 3 caps)
12 Carmela Morrall (Loughborough Lightning, Dubai Hurricanes, 3 caps)
11 Reneeqa Bonner (Bristol Bears, Clevedon Rugby Club, 4 caps)
10 Amelia MacDougall (Saracens, Old Albanian RFC, 3 caps)
9 Tori Sellors (Saracens, Sevenoaks Rugby Club, 6 caps)
1 Chloe Flanagan (Saracens, Old Albanian RFC, 3 caps)
2 Lucy Calladine (Loughborough Lightning, Burton Rugby Football Club, 3 caps)
3 Hannah Sams (Exeter Chiefs, Kingsbridge RFC, 3 caps)
4 Tyla Shirley (Harlequins, Hove Rugby Club, 2 caps)
5 Lilli Ives Campion (c) (Loughborough Lightning, Telford Hornets RFC, 6 caps)
6 Anna Richardson (Exeter University, Tynedale RFC, Uncapped)
7 Joia Bennett (Saracens, Old Albanian RFC, 3 caps)
8 Annabel Meta (Trailfinders Women, Wimbledon RFC, 1 cap)
Replacements
16 Niamh Swailes (Sale Sharks, Ryton RUFC, 5 caps)
17 Amelia Williams (Loughborough Lightning, Medway Rugby Football Club, 3 caps)
18 Kira Leat (Trailfinders Women, Havant RFC, Uncapped)
19 Jorja Battishill (Gloucester-Hartpury, Gloucester-Hartpury, 3 caps)
20 Ellie Roberts (Loughborough Lightning, Basingstoke RFC, 3 caps)
21 Alex Wilkinson (Henley Hawks, Henley Hawks, 3 caps)
22 Samantha Shiels (Trailfinders Women, Grasshoppers RFC, 1 cap)
23 Millie David (Bristol Bears, Reading Rugby Football Club, 3 caps)
England’s Six Nations Women’s Summer Series fixtures
4 July 2024 – England vs. Ireland – 17:30 BST kick-off
9 July 2024 – Wales vs. England – 20:00 BST kick-off
14 July 2024 – England vs. France – 20:00 BST kick-off
With thanks to the RFU
