June 27th, 2008

The England Women’s Under 20s squad to compete in next month’s Under 20s Nations Cup in Toronto has been announced.

The England young guns head to Canada on the back of two impressive wins against Wales this season which saw them run in 74 points and concede none.

England, coached by Giselle Mather, will take on Wales and hosts Canada and Canada A in the hope of qualifying for the Nations Cup championship final on July 19th. The tournament kicks off on July 11th.

The squad of 26 will be led by Worcester’s Laura Keates and includes Bath’s Marlie Packer who earned her first cap for England in this season’s winning European Championship campaign. Lichfield’s Emily Scarratt and Richmond’s Rowena Burnfield, who also played England A rugby this season, are also in the squad.

England Under 20s Head Coach Mather said: “After two good wins against Wales earlier this season we are now looking forward to our tour to Canada. Certainly it’s a tournament where we hope we can improve even more and prove ourselves on the global stage.

“This is a strong squad, boosted by some of the players having stepped up to the next level, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what they can do as well as working with them again.”

Playing Schedule

All games to be played at Appleby College in Toronto

Friday July 11th
Wales v Canada A, KO  530pm
England v Canada KO 710pm  (1210am BST)

Monday July 14th
England v Canada A KO 530pm (1030pm BST)
Canada v Wales   KO 710 pm

Wednesday July 16th:
England v Wales KO 7pm (12am BST)

Saturday July 19th:
Championship Final KO 5pm (10pm BST)

England Under 20s squad

April Brown  Saracens
Brigid Reeves Leeds Leos
Charlotte Male Ivel Barbarians
Charlotte Wild Buxton
Claire Garner Doncaster
Davinia Monteiro Wasps
Emily Scarratt Lichfield
Hannah Field  Reading
Georgina Crabb Richmond
Isabelle Noel Smith Bath
Juliet Short  Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
Kimberley Davey Richmond
Laura Keates (C) Worcester
Elizabeth Peak Lakeham Hewitt
Marlie Packer Bath
Natasha Hunt Bath
Nicola Hoole  Bath
Rachel Fraser Morpeth
Rose Fong  Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
Rowena Burnfield Richmond
Samantha Bree Worcester
Sarah Graham Lichfield
Sarah Guest  Worcester
Sarah McKenna Old Albanian Saints
Victoria CornboroughRichmond
Victoria Fleetwood Lichfield

Ends..