July 15th, 2008

England Women Under 20s will head into Wednesday’s Nations Cup encounter hoping to secure a hat-trick of wins over Wales this season and, at the same time, book their place in the championship final.

England have powered their way through two rounds of games so far in just three days, beating Canada 31-5 and Canada A 22-5. Only Wales, who England have beaten 31-0 and 43-0, now stand in their way as they look for Nations Cup glory. The game kicks off at 12am BST at the Appleby College in Toronto.

England Under 20s Head Coach Giselle Mather has made seven changes to the starting line-up in all. Worcester captain Laura Keates will lead the England young guns for her third consecutive game.

Mather said: “This is the third game in a very tight schedule. It has been a big ask physically but the players are doing very well.

“Although we have played Wales twice this year and won twice we are not taking this game lightly. We need to win the game to make sure of a place in the final on Saturday.

“It’s a very different side to that which took to the field against Wales previously and so this is a big opportunity for players to both put their hands up for the final and to develop individually. During the tournament all players will have significant game time as this is a 26 women squad effort to win this competition.”

England Under 20s

1 Laura Keates © Worcester
2 Vicky Fleetwood Lichfield
3 Elizabeth Peake Lakenham Hewitt
4 Charlotte Male Ivel Barbarians
5 Rowena Burnfield Richmond
6 Brigit  Reeves Leeds Leos
7 IsabelleNoel- Smith Bath
8 Marlie Packer Bath
9 Rachel Fraser Morpeth
10 April Brown  Saracens
11 Georgina Crabb Camberley
12 Sarah  Graham Lichfield
13 Rose Fong  Darlington Mowden Park
14 Kimberley Davy Richmond
15 Emily Scarratt Lichfield
16 Davinia Monteiro Wasps
17 Vicky Cornborough Richmond
18 Juliet Short  Darlington Mowden Park
19 Hannah Field Reading
20 Sarah  Guest  Worcester
21 Clare  Garner Doncaster
22 Natasha Hunt Bath

Under 20s Nations Cup 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) WON 31-5

Monday July 14th
England v Canada A KO 530pm (1030pm BST) WON 22-5
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)

Ends…