The England Women’s Under 20s squad to play their first international of the season against France on ‘Super Sunday’ (February 27) at Worcester Warriors’ Sixways Stadium has been announced.
The England young guns, who are coached by Saracens coach Amanda Bennett and ex-Northampton lock Steve Halsey, kick off their clash against France at 11am, followed by England Women (1.05pm) and England Men U20s (315pm) who are both contesting the Six Nations championship, also against France.
The starting line-up will be announced on Friday, but the squad clearly has strength with several players involved in last season’s U20s campaign and a number of players from the RFUW’s Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) programme. Four Worcester players are named in the squad.
England Coach Bennett said: “With approximately half of the squad retained from last year there will be plenty of experience in this team. However, our main aim is to develop our best young talent so we will certainly want to expose our new squad members to the challenge France presents us. The nature of U20s rugby means there will always be a certain amount of movement and transition which is challenging but it always means we have fresh talent each year.
“And Super Sunday is a fantastic opportunity for England rugby to lay down a marker. Having England women, the men’s under 20s and women’s under 20s playing at the same venue on one day should create quite an intimidating atmosphere for our French opposition.
“There will be a real sense of common purpose among England players, we will be supporting and driving each other on, and no doubt there will even be a little bit of competition for the best result on the day. If the women’s U20s can prevail then the stage will be set for the rest of England teams to match us as the day goes on.”
This is the start of a demanding year for the England U20s who will also play Scotland on March 12th at Gosforth RFC and Wales on April 27th at Hartpury College. The U20s will also compete in the Nations Cup in California.
For tickets to Super Sunday call the Warriors Box Office on 01905 454183 or click HERE for more information.
England U20s squad: Kayleigh Callaway-Bawden (Newquay Hornets (Queen Bees)), Poppy Cleall (Bristol), Fiona Davidson (Richmond), Louise Dennis (Worcester), Lucy Demaine (Bristol), Fiona Fletcher (Lichfield), Mica Evans (Exeter), Hannah Gallagher (Saracens), Ellen Gattlin (Rochford Hundred), Sarah George (Bristol), Emily Hatherall (Worcester), Rebecca Hughes (Bristol), Natasha Jones (Lichfield), Charlotte Keane (Worcester), Emily Kingston (Gloucester Reds), Ceri Large (Worcester), Katie Mason (Bristol), Alexandra Matthews (London Irish), Harriet Mills (Lichfield), Charlie Notman (Newquay Hornets), Megan Oaten (Thornbury), Amber Reed (Bristol), Abbie Scott (Keswick), Emily Scott (Thurrock), Daniker Wilmore (Bristol), Amy Wilson-Hardy (Bristol)