England U20 Women confirm team to face Wales

England U20 Women’s head coach LJ Lewis and assistant coach Sarah McKenna have selected their matchday 23 for an Anglo-Welsh clash against Liza Burgess’ Wales this weekend.  

The U20 Women’s fixture takes place at the home of Dings Crusaders RFC, Shaftesbury Park, this Saturday (4 May, 14:00 BST kick-off). Entry to the ground is free of charge, with the fixture also streamed live on the England Rugby YouTube channel. Parking will also be free of charge and available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Gloucester-Hartpury back-row forward Steph Else, who has played in 15 of the 18 fixtures for her club this season, will lead out her country for the first time in what will be her sixth U20 cap. Saracens back and recent Allianz Cup victor Amelia MacDougall is also rewarded for her impressive recent form for club and country by being named vice captain. 

Lewis has awarded two full debuts to Harlequins’ Katie Shillaker and Jessie Spurrier, as well as first starts for Alex Wilkinson (Henley Hawks) and Loughborough Lightning trio Carmela Morrall, Amelia Williams and Lucy Calladine. Millie David of Bristol Bears is also in line for her first start upon her homecoming to Shaftesbury Park. 

U20 management have opted for the same back-five forwards from their meeting with France in April, including Gloucester-Hartpury's Jorja Battishill, Joia Bennett and Steph Else. Amelia Hyndman (Sale Sharks) and Sophie Molton (Trailfinders Women) could make their debuts off the replacements bench with Niamh Williams (Sale Sharks) and Sophie Langford (Exeter Chiefs) reintroduced to the fold. 

In what will be the final outing of England’s spring programme, the fixture serves as a vital opportunity for young female athletes and coaches in the England Rugby Women’s Pathway to develop on the international stage. 

20 of this weekend’s matchday squad will have achieved their first caps under Lewis this spring should Hyndman and Molton make their debuts. Saturday’s team have a cumulative 54 PWR appearances to date.  

LJ Lewis said: “Saturday will be a special day for all involved, particularly with potential debuts and homecomings within our squad. Shaftesbury Park is a brilliant facility, and we look forward to welcoming a big vibrant crowd from both sides of the border to cheer on the girls.  

“Our spring schedule has offered our players an insight into the expectations and demands of international rugby. We as a group have taken a lot of learnings and Sarah and I are looking forward to seeing that development in place this weekend. 

“Our messaging this week has underlined the importance of the occasion this Saturday in what promises to be a fantastic day for our squad, staff and supporters. I have no doubt that the girls can live up to our principles of being fearless, empowered and adventurous.” 


England U20 Women team to face Wales (includes current club, university and community club) 

15 Lia Green (Loughborough Lightning, Loughborough University, Winscombe RFC) * 

14 Millie David (Bristol Bears, University of West England, Reading Rugby Football Club) * 

13 Millie Hyett (Gloucester-Hartpury, Hartpury College, Worcester Girls RFC) * 

12 Carmela Morrall (Loughborough Lightning, Loughborough University, Dubai Hurricanes) * 

11 Katie Shillaker (Harlequins, Horsham RFC) 

10 Amelia MacDougall (Saracens, Oaklands College, Old Albanian RFC) * 

9 Alex Wilkinson (Henley Hawks, Oxford University, Henley Hawks) * 

1 Amelia Williams (Loughborough Lightning, Loughborough University, Medway Rugby Football Club) * 

2 Lucy Calladine (Loughborough Lightning, University of Worcester, Burton Rugby Football Club) * 

3 Jessie Spurrier (Harlequins, Horsham RFC) 

4 Lola Whitley (Gloucester-Hartpury, Hartpury College, Sudbury RFC) * 

5 Jorja Battishill (Gloucester-Hartpury, Hartpury University, Gloucester-Hartpury) * 

6 Joia Bennett (Saracens, Loreto College, Old Albanian RFC) * 

7 Ellie Roberts (Loughborough Lightning, Loughborough University, Basingstoke RFC) * 

8 Steph Else (Gloucester-Hartpury, Hartpury University, Scarborough Rugby Union Football Club) * 


Replacements 

16 Amelia Hyndman (Sale Sharks, Bede Sixth Form College, Bishop Auckland Rugby Club) 

17 Chloe Flanagan (Saracens, Old Albanian RFC) * 

18 Niamh Williams (Sale Sharks, University of Worcester, Reading RFC) * 

19 Josie Plant (Exeter Chiefs, Perranporth RFC) * 

20 Tyla Shirley (Harlequins, Cardinal Newman Sixth Form, Hove Rugby Club) * 

21 Sophie Molton (Trailfinders Women, Brunel University, Medway RFC) 

22 Sophie Langford (Exeter Chiefs, University of Exeter, Hong Kong Football Club) * 

23 Evelyn Clarke (Loughborough Lightning, Birmingham University, Worcester Girls RFC) * 

*denotes a player capped at U20 level for England 


England U20 Women’s spring 2024 fixtures and results 

England U20 Women 99-5 Army – 23 March 2024 (Havant RFC) 

France U20 Women 74-0 England U20 Women – 20 April 2024 (Stade Jean Mermoz) 

England U20 Women vs. Wales U20 Women – 4 May 2024 (Dings Crusaders RFC, 14:00 BST kick-off)