- Twelve new faces join 13 of last season’s victorious Nations Cup side
- England Women’s Under 20s face internationals with Wales and France in spring 2010
England Women’s Under 20s squad contains 12 new faces as the side looks to build on last season’s Nations Cup win.
Player Development Manager Tom Stokes has also retained 13 members of last term’s outfit for home and away fixtures with Wales and a clash with France in spring 2010.
The England Under 20s programme will be headed up by Stokes and England Assistant Coach Graham Smith, who comes in as technical advisor. Specialist coaches will also be brought in to concentrate on specific skills areas, including former England international and Newbury RFC head coach Ben Sturnham, Bedford Blues coach Martin Hynes and Newcastle Falcons Academy Manager Mark Laycock.
England Under 20s will take on France for the first time ever in a curtain raiser game for the men's England versus France Under 20s match at Saint Nazaire, near Nantes in March, and they will also play Wales twice, in April and May.
Stokes, the RFUW's Player Development Manager, said: "The international match against France will be a fantastic opportunity for the players and an excellent challenge. It will give them a taste of international rugby in a high pressured environment which will be an important part of their development on and off the field.
"The focus for the England Under 20s squad is about developing and preparing players technically, physically and mentally for senior international rugby. Charlotte Male and Marlie Packer have already been called up to the England A squad this season, and I am confident that there are several more players in this group with the talent and ambition to progress to full international honours."
England Women’s U20s Squad
Sasha Acheson Shelford
Victoria Cornborough Richmond
*Fiona Davidson Richmond
Hannah Field Wasps
Victoria Fleetwood Lichfield
Jessie Flowers Oxford University
Rose Fong Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
*Milly Fuggles OA Saints
*Hannah Gallagher Welwyn
Nicola Hoole Bristol
*Rebecca Hughes Bristol
*Rose Jay Burfield
Garnet Mackinder University of Birmingham
*Stacey Maguire Lichfield
Charlotte Male Bristol
Amy Millar Worcester
Harriet Mills Lichfield
Marlie Packer Bristol
*Amber Reed Bristol
*Emily Scott Welwyn
Juliet Short Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
*Geraldine Thomas OA Saints
*Sophie Watkiss Worcester
*Kay Wilson Richmond
*Amy Wilson-Hardy Hove
* Indicated new Under 20s squad member
England Women’s U20s playing schedule
France U20s v England U20s, March 21, KO 1pm, Sainte Nazaire
England U20s v Wales U20s, April 7, venue and KO TBC
Wales U20s v England U20s, May (weekend of May 8/9), venue and KO TBC