England Women’s U20s squad announced for two test series against France

Posted on Mar 20, 2012 in England U20, England Women

The England Women’s Under 20s squad to take on France in a two test series next month has been announced.

The England U20s will play France on Wednesday April 4th and Saturday April 7th at Moulton College and will be looking to bounce back from their 50-0 defeat to France earlier this month in Paris.

The England U20s squad have been boosted by the inclusion of Saracens’ flanker Hannah Gallagher, who was a pivotal member of the England team that secured a record seventh successive Six Nations title last weekend and a Grand Slam. Since making her England seniors’ debut in November Gallagher has now amassed six caps but at just 20 she still qualifies for England’s junior squad.

England U20s Head Coach Amanda Bennett said: “This has been a fantastic year for Hannah and we are delighted to see yet another U20s player move up to the Elite levels. She has played for England with all the passion, commitment and guile that we know she possesses so we will be delighted to see her pull on an U20s shirt again against France. The experience she’s had at senior level will be invaluable and the U20s players around her will learn a great deal from her experiences.”

Bennett has retained all 22 players who suffered a tough defeat to France nearly two weeks ago but she has also called up Emily Scott and Leanne Riley who have most recently been involved with the England Sevens squad. Waterloo’s Ellie Prescott could also be set to make her U20s bow. Richmond’s Fiona Davidson will once again captain the squad.

“Although losing to France will have been a tremendously difficult experience for these players, many have already expressed how much they learned,” added Bennett. “The key now is to take the disappointment and the experience and translate this into a stronger, more competitive performance in April. Certainly, France’s physicality created problems for us and we will need to match this if we are going to be able to compete with them.

“In short, we have got to put in better performances as individuals and as a team. We never set out to simply win any of these games though. Our primary goal is to develop a squad of players who know how to play the game to the standard required at international level. This means we will look at the detail behind the defeat and build on strengths as we eradicate mistakes. There are aspects of the first France game that worked well and we can build on these including areas where we will attack France. They will rightfully have been delighted with the result but must know there are areas to improve as well. Other than this, we will aim to be more physical and ruthless, more competitive and more composed than in Paris.” 

England U20s Squad

(Name, Club, County, Division, Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence College)

Bianca Blackburn    (Gloucester, Gloucestershire, South West, Hartpury College)

Lauren Cattell (Chesham, Buckinghamshire, South West, Moulton College)

Fiona  Davidson (C)            (Richmond, Surrey,             London & South East)      

Louise Dennis (Worcester,            Gloucestershire, South West)     

Hannah Edwards (Wasps,             Middlesex, London & South East)          

Mica    Evans(Saracens, Hertfordshire, London & South East           )

Fiona  Fletcher (VC)            (Lichfield, Staffordshire, Midlands)       

Hannah Gallagher  (Saracens, Hertfordshire, London & South East)        

Ellen Gattlin  (Saracens, Essex, London & South East)         

Courtney Gill            (Plymouth Albion, Devon, South West, Hartpury College)

Megan Goddard (Hartpury,            Gloucestershire, South West, Hartpury College)

Emily  Hatherall (Worcester, Gloucestershire, South West)   

Rebecca        Hughes          (Bristol, Somerset, South West)  

Rachel           Jones(Lichfield, Staffordshire, Midlands)        

Sian    McGuinness(Tyldesley, Lancashire, North)    

Amy Needham (Paviors, Notts, Lincs & Derbys, Midlands, Moulton College)

Charlotte Notman (Penryn, Cornwall, South West)    

Megan Oaten (Bristol, Gloucester, South West)          

Georgia Peedle (Saracens, Hertfordshire, London & South East)   

Ellie  Prescott (Waterloo, Lancashire, North)    

Catherine Pugh (Rochford Hundred, Essex, London & South East)          

Leanne  Riley (Saracens, Hertfordshire, London & South East)      

Abbie  Scott   (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, Northumberland, North)  

Emily  Scott   (Thurrock, Essex, London & South East)          

Katie   Turnbull (Thornbury, Gloucestershire, South West, Hartpury College)

Carys  Williams (Lichfield, Staffordshire, Midlands, Moulton College)

England Under 20s 2011/2012 Fixtures:

• March 11th, France U20s v England U20s, Suzan Lenglen Stadium, Paris, France 50 – England 0
• April 4th, England U20s v France U20s, Moulton College, KO 230pm
• April 7th,  England U20s v France U20s, Moulton College, KO 1pm
• July, Dates TBC, England U20s will play the USA in two test matches, Moulton College

England Women’s U20s named to take on France

Posted on Mar 2, 2012 in Age Grade Rugby, England Women, English Rugby, Women's Rugby

The England Women’s Under 20s team to take on France in their first international of the season on March 11th at the Suzan Lenglen Stadium in Paris has been announced, kick off 930am GMT.

The England Under 20s side will be led by the experienced Richmond scrum-half Fiona Davidson who will start her third year in the U20s squad. Lichfield flanker Fiona Fletcher has been named as vice-captain.

Davidson will lead an U20s side which sees 12 players in the 22 set to make their England U20s bow. Four players; Rachael Jones, Amy Needham, Carys Williams and Megan Goddard have been called up to the squad after impressing in the RFUW Divisional Programme after initially missing out on selection into the 2011/2012 Under 20s squad.

Amanda Bennett, who is joined by assistant coach Steve Halsey again this season, said:  “It is so exciting to see such talent in young players. Although this is a relatively inexperienced squad, we will look to the likes of new players Lauren Cattell and Rachel Jones for big performances just as much as Captain Fiona Davidson, who brings vast experience. Nurturing young talent is rewarding, and this year’s squad has the potential to play some great rugby.

“We have had a relative luxury of a series of training camps which have allowed the squad to grow together and also for us to work hard on team development, game strategy and of course, continuing to build on the core skills.”

England will also take on France on April 4th and 7th at Moulton College as well as host the USA in a two test series in July at the same venue, and they’ll be looking to build on the success of last season which saw England defeat Canada, the USA, France, Wales, Scotland and South Africa, completing a clean sweep of international victories.

Bennett added: “There aren’t many teams who would choose to play three tests against France in a season as they are such a tough side. However, these games present an opportunity for the England squad to learn from one game to the next and benchmark improvements in performances against high quality opposition. We will be looking for pre-determined goals to be met by the third game and for individual players, as well as the whole squad, to improve in designated areas.

“We have played France twice in the last two years and are all square when it comes to results. We lost in 2010 but genuinely feel our preparations this year are more comprehensive and players have an excellent understanding of what is expected of them, regardless of the environment.”

England Women U20s

(Name, Club, County, Division, Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence College)

15        Georgia          Peedle           (Saracens, Hertfordshire, London & South East)

14        Rachel           Jones(Lichfield, Staffordshire, Midlands)

13        Hannah         Edwards        (Wasps, Middlesex,London & South East)      

12        Louise            Dennis           (Worcester, Gloucestershire, South West)

11        Rebecca        Hughes (Bristol, Somerset,            South West)

10        Lauren Cattell (Chesham, Buckinghamshire, South West, Moulton College)

9          Fiona  Davidson       (Richmond, Surrey,             London & South East) Captain   

1          Mica    Evans(Saracens, Hertfordshire, London & South East)        

2          Emily  Hatherall        (Worcester, Gloucestershire, South West)        

3          Catherine      Pugh  (Rochford Hundred,            Essex, London & South East)     

4          Ellen   Gattlin            (Saracens, Essex, London & South East)        

5          Abbie  Scott   (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks,           Northumberland, North)  

6          Fiona  Fletcher (Lichfield, Staffordshire,             Midlands) Vice-Captain    

7          Megan            Oaten(Bristol, Gloucestershire, South West)   

8          Katie   Turnbull (Thornbury, Gloucestershire, South West, Hartpury College)

Replacements:       

16        Charlotte        Notman          (Penryn, Cornwall, South West) 

17        Amy    Needham (Paviors, Notts, Lincs & Derbys, Midlands, Moulton College)

18        Courtney       Gill      (Plymouth Albion, Devon, South West, Hartpury College)

19        Carys  Williams         (Lichfield, Staffordshire, Midlands, Moulton College)

20        Bianca Blackburn (Gloucester, Gloucestershire, South West, Hartpury College)

21        Megan Goddard (Hartpury, Gloucestershire, South West, Hartpury College)

22        Sian    McGuinness(Tyldesley, Lancashire, North)

England Under 20s 2011/2012 Fixtures:

March 11th, France U20s v England U20s, Suzan Lenglen Stadium, Paris, KO 930am GMT

April 4th, England U20s v France U20s, Moulton College, KO 230pm

April 7th,  England U20s v France U20s, Moulton College, KO 1pm

July, Dates TBC, England U20s will play the USA in two test matches, Moulton College

England women’s squad for U20 Nations Cup announced

Posted on Jun 13, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

The England squad to compete in this summer’s U20 Nations Cup was announced today.

The tournament, which also includes the USA, Canada and South Africa will take place between the 14^th- 23^rd July at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

The England Women’s U20s side has enjoyed a successful season with wins over Wales (32-19), Scotland (77-0) and France (12-5) but are expecting a tournament with three very physical encounters.

Amanda Bennett, England Women’s Under 20s Head Coach, said: “We want to be up front and say that we want to go to the Nations Cup and win it but we have no doubt how hard that is going to be.

“We are not taking any of these games lightly, it will be fierce.  We know that we will be facing extremely fit and physical opposition.  There are no performance guarantees when it comes to this tournament.

“The USA and Canada have a history of producing incredible athletes and South Africa has dedicated time and resources in recent years to developing the women’s game.”

Playing the home nations earlier in the year was important preparation for the squad and gives them an advantage which they intend to build on.

“The fixtures in February and March were important for us to see the players training and exposed to tough competition.  Our opposition won’t have had that opportunity so we are a step ahead,” said Bennett.

“When we meet for our training camp on the first weekend in July we are not going to reflect on what we have done but intend to take everything a step further, focusing in particular on our tactical and technical work.

“At some point the squad needs to know what it is like to train and play in a campaign like the Nations Cup because further down the line some of them might be going to a World Cup.”

For the older players in the squad this tournament is their last opportunity to complete at age-grade level and the tournament offers an important springboard into the senior game.

England v Canada (July 14)

USA v England (July 17)

England v South Africa (July 20)

Consolation Finals/Finals (July 23)

The Squad:

Poppy Cleall (Bristol, Hampshire, South West)

Fiona Davidson (Richmond, Surrey, London & South East)

Lucy Demaine (Bristol, Devon, South West)

Mica Evans (Exeter Saracens, Devon, South West)

Fiona Fletcher (Lichfield, Staffordshire, Midlands)

Hannah Gallagher (Saracens, Hertfordshire, London & South East)

Ellen Gattlin (Rochford Hundred, Essex, London & South East)

Sarah George (Bristol, Devon, South West)

Rebecca Hughes (Bristol, Somerset, South West)

Rose Jay (Lichfield, Staffordshire, Midlands)

Natasha Jones (Lichfield, Staffordshire, Midlands)

Charlotte Keane (Worcester, South West)

Emily Kingston (Gloucester, Gloucestershire, South West)

Ceri Large (Worcester, Gloucestershire, South West)

Katie Mason (Bristol, Somerset, South West)

Alexandra Matthews (London Irish, Surrey, London & SE)

Harriet  Mills (Lichfield, Staffordshire, Midlands)

Charlie Notman  (Newquay Hornets (Queen Bees), Cornwall, South West)

Megan  Oaten (Thornbury, Dorset & Wilts, South West)

Amber Reed (Bristol, Somerset/Devon, South West)

Rachel Roberts  (Gloucester, Gloucester, North)

Abbie Scott (Keswick, Cumbria,North)

Emily Scott (Thurrock, Essex, London & South East)

Geri Thomas (OA Saints, Hertfordshire, London & SE)

Daniker Willmore (Bristol, South West)

Amy Wilson-Hardy (Bristol, Sussex, South West)

Gloucestershire core can boost Counties U20s

Posted on May 5, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

With a strong core of Gloucestershire team-mates in his squad, England Counties Under 20s captain Ben Sparks is confident that his team will be able to deliver a well-organised, cohesive display when they play their inaugural game against Scotland Under 20s at West Park Leeds tomorrow (Friday, May 6, 7.30pm).

Coach Bob Hood endorses the Sparks’ assessment of the preparations and there is a positive mood in the camp ahead of what is expected to be a tough test from a Scotland side that is preparing for the Under 20s World Cup.

“We had an exceptional session on the night we came together and ran through the work we had asked the lads to do before the arrived in Leeds,” said Hood: “Yesterday we were training at West Park and the players delivered a very conscientious session, so I’m very happy with the way things are moving.”

The only negative aspect of that opening period came via hamstring injuries to wingman Pierre Tucker and hooker Caldon Pike which required them to stand down. Pike’s South West team-mate Tom Emery from Gloucestershire was brought into the squad, along with wingman Jamie Harrison from the North.

For Sparks, the presence of a few familiar faces will be a useful bonus, especially since he has played alongside most of the Gloucestershire contingent for a couple of seasons and will be in action with them at Twickenham next weekend in the National Under 20s final against Hampshire.

“It’s very reassuring to have the Gloucestershire lads around,” says Sparks: “I played with most of them last season and we all gel really well and know each other’s style of play.

“Also everyone has bought into the style of play Gloucestershire are playing and that includes the Counties coaches. They’ve obviously looked at the running rugby we’ve been playing and agreed that the Counties should adopt that style. We’re all singing from the same song-sheet, which is another important plus.

“Now the key for us is to become a unit in the time we have together. As long as everyone buys into the ethos of the squad and gets involved we’ll be fine because we have a very strong group.

“We’ve seen video’s of the England Under 20s game against Scotland and that performance and result is a good motivational factor for us. Despite the result, we won’t be underestimating the opposition, but we will be looking at that game as a high benchmark that we want to attain. We all want to be at that level.”

England Counties Under 20s (v Scotland Under 20s at West Park Leeds RFC, Friday, May 6, 2011, 7.30ko): Chris Surman (Loughborough University, South West & Gloucestershire); Jamie Harrison (Broughton Park, North & Lancashire), Peter Homan (Middlesbrough, North & Yorkshire), Elliott Brierley (Macclesfield, North & Cheshire), Reuben Haile (Cinderford, South West & Gloucestershire); Aaron Penberthy (Redruth, South West & Cornwall), Sam Arnott (Southend, South West & Gloucestershire); Tom Channon (Newton Abbot, South West & Devon), Ben Sowery (Wharfedale, North & Yorkshire), Matt Shields (Tynedale, North & Northumberland), Josh Beaumont (Fylde, North & Lancashire), Miles Normandale (University of Wales Institute Cardiff, Gloucestershire), Liam Wilkinson (UWE Bristol, South West & Gloucestershire), Joe Atkinson (Loughborough Un/Petersfield, London & SE & Hampshire), Ben Sparks (Stourbridge, South West & Gloucestershire) capt,

Replacements: Tom Emery (Lydney, South West & Gloucestershire), Tom Harrison (UWE Hartpury, South West & Gloucestershire), Carl Kirwan (Middlesbrough, North & Yorkshire), Joe Pass (Derby, Midlands & Notts, Lincs & Derby), Brett Turner (Lydney, South West & Gloucestershire), Ben West (Newbury, South West & Berkshire), Andrew Murray (Nuneaton, Midlands & Warwickshire)

England Counties Under 20s have South West backbone

Posted on Apr 20, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

National RU Under 20 finalists Gloucestershire have nine players in the inaugural England Counties Under 20 squad which will face Scotland Under 20s at West Park Leeds on Friday, May 6, kick-off 7.30pm.

The South West contingent underlined their calibre when they put Yorkshire to the sword in emphatic style in the Under 20 Championship semi-final at Halifax on Sunday and with the South West Divisional team also having produced a dominant display to beat London & South East in the trials for the England Counties U20 team, it is no surprise to see that team contributing a dozen players.

“I have been watching Under 20 Counties rugby for 15 years or so and I think this Gloucestershire team is the best I have seen in all that time,” says England Counties Under 20 Team Manager Malcolm Ross.

“They have power, pace and a lot of rugby skill and I’m sure the South West contingent will make a big impact on our performance. When you supplement that level of talent with the cream of the other counties, you get a very strong side.

“With a top-class coaching team of Bob Hood and Paul Cox and Bob Clilverd bringing a real professional edge to the selection process, I’m very excited about watching the team perform.

“It is also worth mentioning that there is a great enthusiasm among the lads for representing England in what is a new team and it was quite an emotional experience calling them up individually to tell them they were in the squad for Leeds.

“All that said, I know Scotland will provide top-quality opposition. They have already been together for a while in the Six Nations Under 20 Championship and their game against us is part of their preparations for their second major tournament campaign of the season. They are heading to Italy at the end of the month to finalise their build-up to the IRB Junior World Championships that takes place from June 3-27.
“Our game represents a last chance for their squad members to impress ahead of pool meetings with South Africa, England and Ireland, so the Scottish lads will have every incentive to impress.”

The decision to delay selection until after the National Under 20 Semis proved to be a godsend for lock Miles Normandale, who was elevated straight from the Gloucestershire side into the Counties squad on the strength of his performance at Halifax.

Stourbridge No 8 Ben Sparks, who scored two tries at Halifax, will captain the side.

England Counties Under 20 squad: Sam Arnott (Southend, South West & Gloucestershire), Joe Atkinson (Loughborough Un/Petersfield, London & SE & Hampshire), Josh Beaumont (Fylde, North & Lancashire), Elliott Brierley (Macclesfield, North & Cheshire), Tom Channon (Newton Abbot, South West & Devon), Ben West (Newbury, South West & Berkshire), Tom Harrison (UWE Hartpury, South West & Gloucestershire), Reuben Haile (Cinderford, South West & Gloucestershire), Peter Homan (Middlesbrough, North & Yorkshire), Carl Kirwan (Middlesbrough, North & Yorkshire), Miles Normandale (University of Wales Institute Cardiff, Gloucestershire), Joe Pass (Derby, Midlands & Notts, Lincs & Derby), Aaron Penberthy (Redruth, South West & Cornwall), Caldon Pike (Loughborough Students, South West & Berkshire), Matt Shields (Tynedale, North & Northumberland), Ben Sowery (Wharfedale, North & Yorkshire), Ben Sparks (Stourbridge, South West & Gloucestershire) capt, Chris Surman (Loughborough University, South West & Gloucestershire), Pierre Tucker (Dings Crusaders, South West & Gloucestershire), Brett Turner (Lydney, South West & Gloucestershire), Liam Wilkinson (UWE Bristol, South West & Gloucestershire), Andrew Murray (Nuneaton, Midlands & Warwickshire)