Four young Worcester Valkyries players have been called up to a 26-player squad for England Women Under 20s’ visit to Canada this summer.
Cara Brincat, Akina Gondwe, Vicky Laflin and Charlie Wilcock have all been named in the squad, who will face Canada Women Under 20s twice and USA Women Under 20s once during the three-match series (to be shown online via www.rugby.ca).
Matches will be hosted at Acadia University (Wolfville) and Wanderers Grounds (Halifax) on Friday 10 August, Tuesday 14 August and Saturday 18 August.
England Women Under 20s last played Canada in a three-Test series at Trent College, Nottingham in 2016 with England winning the series 3-0. The side last played USA in the 2013 Nations Cup, losing 17-27 again at Trent College, Nottingham.
England Women Under 20s Head Coach Jo Yapp said: “This tour to Canada is a fantastic opportunity for us. It allows us to build on the time we’ve already had together this season as a squad and continue developing the players that are coming through the women’s pathway.
“Getting to play three away matches will be a tough challenge but also an exciting opportunity for this group of players. We can’t wait to get out there and know this tour, and like any international one, will offer a great learning experience for the squad.”
England Women Under 20s squad 2018/19 (Club, University/AASE)
Lucy Attwood (Bristol Ladies, Bristol University)
Leah Bartlett (Loughborough Lightning, Loughborough University)
Sarah Beckett (Firwood Waterloo Ladies, N/A)
Hannah Botterman (Saracens Women, N/A)
Brooke Bradley (Bristol Ladies / Exmouth Community College)
Cara Brincat (Worcester Valkyries / Worcester University)
Jessica Cooksey (Winscombe / Hartpury College)*
Tabitha Copson (Gloucester-Hartpury Women /Hartpury College)
Hollie Cunningham (Bristol Ladies / Exeter University)
Abigail Dow (Wasps Ladies / Imperial College London)
Rosie Galligan (Saracens Women / Loughborough University)
Akina Gondwe (Worcester Valkyries /Worcester University)
Ellie Green (Harlequins Ladies, N/A)*
Detysha Harper (Firwood Waterloo Ladies, N/A)
Amelia Harper (Loughborough Lightning /Loughborough College)
Zoe Harrison (Saracens Women / Middlesex University)
Victoria Laflin (Worcester Valkyries/ Worcester University)
Ellie Mulhearn (Bristol Ladies, N/A)
Phoebe Murray (Bristol Ladies / Bristol University)
Ellena Perry (Saracens Women / Coventry University)
Connie Powell (Gloucester-Hartpury Women / Hartpury College)
Lilian Stoeger-Goddard (Bristol Ladies / Plymouth Marjons University)
Lagilagi Tuima (Bristol Ladies / Exeter University)
Charlie Wilcock (Worcester Valkyries, N/A)
Bethany Wilcock (Trojans Rugby /Brockenhurst College)*
Ella Wyrwas (Saracens Women, N/A)
* denotes new player to the squad
England Women Under 20s fixtures
Friday 10 August | Canada Women Under 20s vs England Women Under 20s | Acadia University (Wolfville) | 10.30pm BST
Tuesday 14 August | USA Women Under 20s vs England Women Under 20s | Acadia University (Wolfville | 10.30pm BST
Saturday 18 August | Canada Under 20s vs England Women Under 20s | Wanderers Grounds (Halifax) | 8pm BST