Valkyries have six players in the England Women Under-20s squad for the first of back-to-back internationals against France in Strasbourg on Saturday.
Prop Lauren Leatherland is set to make her international debut having been named among the replacements with full-back Carys Cox, wing Cara Clarke, centre Megan Varley, loosehead Akinwa Gondwe and blindside Cara Brincat all in the starting XV.
Clarke marked her Under-20s debut with a brace of tries in the 33-5 victory over the Army at Aldershot last month.
There are 18 more members of the squad that played the Army in the matchday 23 in Strasbourg. England and France will meet in the return leg at Newbury on March 16 (kick-off 2.30pm).
“This two-game series provides us with a great opportunity to develop individual players as well as the team as a whole,” said England Women Under-20s Head Coach Jo Yapp.
“Playing at the Stade de Hautepierre will be a brilliant experience for this group where they will be exposed to playing away in Test match conditions.
“The players will undoubtedly have to make key leadership decisions under pressure that will be invaluable to their development. We’re really excited to get out there and to see what they can achieve.”
With six players on duty in Strasbourg and five more playing senior international rugby in the Women’s Six Nations, Valkyries have been forced to make changes to their Development XV for Saturday’s Tyrrells Premier 15s Development League match against Saracens at Allianz Park (kick-off 2.30pm).
Cox, Clarke and Leatherland all played for the Development XV at Harlequins last week and are replaced by Chloe-May Barton, Thea Thompson and Niamh Massam Vallely.
Valkyries Development XV
15 Chloe-May Barton
14 Thea Thompson
13 Vicky Foxwell
12 Lucy Lockhart
11 Eleanor Beech
10 Connie Bradshaw
9 Anna Stowell
1 Rachel Merrien
2 Carmen Tremelling
3 Niamh Massam Vallely
4 Sarah Bill
5 Elizabeth Shermer
6 Laura Thomas (C)
7 Jasmine Gibbons
8 Lisa Campbell
Replacements
16 Helena Bunce
17 Sarah Davey
18 Sara Moreria
19 Jemima Moss
20 Emma Harris
21 Megan Young
22 Beth James