U20 WOMEN CONFIRM SIDE TO FACE USA

The England U20 Women’s side to face USA U20 Women in the Transatlantic Quad Series has been named.

The fixture, England’s second and final outing of the series, kicks-off at 17:30 BST this Wednesday (24th) at Cardiff Arms Park and will be streamed live on RugbyPass TV.   

Loughborough Lightning loose forward Lucy Finch resumes her captaincy this week following on from England’s narrow 33-36 reverse at the hands of Canada last Friday. Midfielder Sarah Parry of Harlequins Women also maintains her role as vice-captain.  

Emma Gerrard, Evie Haskell, Freya McGinlay and Lucy Lawford are brought in for their maiden U20 caps, with Isabelle Jacques, Lottie Ball and Poppy Love integrated onto the replacements bench and also in line for their first bows.  

With 22 of the matchday 23 that faced Canada gaining their first U20 caps, a valiant comeback effort saw England score all 33 of their points in the second period through tries from Thea Sylvester, Bethan Candlin, Zara Green, Daisy Aspinall, a penalty try and six points from the boot of Molly Bunker. 

The matchday 23 and wider training group are made up of a predominantly U19 cohort that have been selected to support targeted players transitioning from the U18 age-grade and for U20 players not selected for the recent Six Nations Women’s Summer Series. U18 Women’s head coach James Cooper will continue to lead the programme in gameweek 2 with support from LJ Lewis and her U20 Women’s staff. 

The England Women’s Pathway joins this year's series following the U20 Women’s tri-series between Wales, USA and Canada in the summer of 2023, and continues on key developments for the age-grade after the RFU’s announcement of new centralised Player Development Group (PDG) centres, investment from The British & Irish Lions funding and the inaugural Six Nations Women’s Summer Series. 

James Cooper said: “Our last matchday was a fantastic experience for this new crop of players, the majority of whom were gaining their first minutes at U20 level. We’re delighted to now award Emma, Evie, Freya and Lucy their first starts this week and give these players a valuable platform to express their rugby talents and implement our brand of Women’s Pathway rugby.  

“The second-half showing against Canada spoke volumes about the determination and expression these players possess, it’s a credit to them given the short amount of time we’ve had together.  

“We’ll be expecting more of the same this Wednesday and look for continuity in our approach to what will be another very challenging task against USA.” 

England U20 Women team to face USA (including U20 caps) 

15 Jess Doyle (North East, 1 cap)  

14 Emma Gerrard (Northumbria University, uncapped) 

13 Sarah Parry (vc) (Harlequins, 1 cap) 

12 Molly Bunker (Hartpury College, 1 cap) 

11 Daisy Aspinall (Hartpury College, 1 cap) 

10 Emily Lunn (Henley College, 1 cap) 

9 Evie Haskell (Mansfield RFC, uncapped) 

1 Keira Muir (Oaklands College, 1 cap)  

2 Heidi Pashaei-Tarighoun (SGS Filton College, 1 cap)  

3 Ruby Winstanley (Harlequins, 1 cap) 

4 Thea Sylvester (Trailfinders Women, 1 cap)  

5 Freya McGinlay (Hartpury College, uncapped) 

6 Lucy Lawford (Saracens Women, uncapped) 

7 Abbie Hart (Loughborough College, 1 cap) 

8 Lucy Finch (c) (Loughborough Lightning, 1 cap) 

Replacements 

16 Lucy Simpson (Hartpury College, 1 cap) 

17 Isabelle Jacques (Bristol Bears Women, uncapped) 

18 Zara Green (Harlequins, 1 cap) 

19 Jasmine Adonri (City of Oxford College, 1 cap) 

20 Lottie Ball (Henley College, uncapped) 

21 Poppy Love (Walcats RFC, uncapped) 

22 Becca Jackson (Hartpury College, 1 cap) 

23 Tilly Pulfer (Exeter College, 1 cap) 

England's Transatlantic Quad Series fixtures 

Friday 19th July 2024 – England 33-36 Canada

Wednesday 24th July 2024 – England vs. USA – 17:30 BST kick-off – Cardiff Arms Park