England Womens U20s squad announced for Wales clash
Bath's Marlie Packer will captain the England Under 20s team that'll take on Wales at Eirias Park in Colwyn Bay on April 14th, kick-off 2pm.
The match is the under 20s's first international of the season and will be vital preparation as England look to retain the Under 20s Nations Cup which they won with a clean sweep of wins last year in Canada. This year's tournament takes place at Brunel University in July.
The starting line-up for the Wales match includes 13 players than ran out for the England Under 20s last season, a side that defeated Wales three times, Canada twice and Canada A.
England Under 20s Head Coach Giselle Mather, who is also London Irish's AASE Manager and Head Coach at Teddington RFC, said: "Having done all the training, it's now time to find out where we are, but playing Wales in Wales is going to be a tough opening game.
"It's good to have so much experience in the side, and I am sure these players can build on the success they experienced in Canada where they produced some really good rugby. To be able to keep so many players together for our first game against good opposition is very important."
Certainly the Under 20s have got plenty to aspire to as England's Emily Scarratt was playing Under 20s rugby last year. In just nine months she has gone on to earn eight caps for England and has scored nine tries.
Mather added: "These players know that there is a clear cut pathway to get into the senior squad if they are good enough. It is a realistic aim as they have only got to look to the likes of Emily Scarratt and Fran Matthews who were involved in the RBS 6 Nations this season, while the likes of Sarah Guest, Rowena Bownfield and Laura Keates have all been involved in England A. These players have got a lot to play for."
England Under 20s v Wales Under 20s
1 Elizabeth Peak Oakmedians 2 Victoria Fleetwood Lichfield 3 Victoria Cornborough (VC) Richmond 4 Charlotte Wild Leeds Metropolitan University 5 Harriet Mills Manchester 6 Hannah Field Reading 7 Marlie Packer (C) Bath 8 Nicola Hoole Bath 9 Sophie Russell Loughborough 10 Claire Garner Leeds Leos 11 Samantha Bree Worcester 12 Sarah McKenna OA Saints 13 Rose Fong Darlington Mowden Park Sharks 14 Natasha Hunt Bath 15 Kimberley Davey Richmond Replacements: 16 Natalie McClarnon Saracens 17 Sasha Acheson Sudbury 18 Amy Miller Reading 19 Jessie Flowers West Park 20 Natasha Jones Lichfield 21 Sarah Graham Bath 22 Lizell Heather Kettering
Head Coach Giselle Mather, Assistant Coach Martin Hynes
