Lilli Ives Campion will captain England U20 Women against Army Women as one of eight Loughborough Lightning players named in the matchday squad.
The second row is joined by club-mates Catherine Wells and Ellie Roberts in the pack while Lia Green starts at full-back for the fixture that is being played at Havant RFC on Saturday 23 March (kick-off: 5.30pm) and is being streamed live on the England Rugby social media channels.
Fellow Lightning players Lucy Calladine, Amelia Williams, Evelyn Clarke and Carmela Morrall are also included among the replacements.
In preparation for their first matchday leading the U20 Women, head coach LJ Lewis and assistant coach Sarah McKenna have benefitted from time with the group in camps at Bisham Abbey this year following confirmation of the 2024 England Women’s Pathway U20 Training Squad in February. Nathan Catt has also been involved in imparting his set-piece expertise in recent camps ahead of the side’s impending matchdays.
Beyond Saturday’s meeting, the group look forward to further Tests against away to France on 20 April (Stade Jean Mermoz, Rouen, 18:00 GMT kick-off) before hosting Wales at Dings Crusaders RFC on 4 May (14:30 GMT kick-off).
“It’s a great feeling for coaches and players to have a matchday to look forward to, and that has been evident in the energy the team have brought to training this week. They have prepared exceptionally well at our training base in Bisham,” said Lewis.
“Lilli being awarded our captaincy this weekend is a reflection of the work she has done. Not only with the U20 Women, but the minutes also achieved at club level with Lightning and with the Red Roses in training camps. Now, she deserves to have this opportunity to lead this special group.“
England U20 Women, head coach LJ Lewis
“We’re expecting a firm test this weekend in what we as a group are treating as a match away from home and is the perfect opportunity to put into place our plans that we have been constructing throughout the season.”
ENGLAND U20 WOMEN’S TEAM TO FACE ARMY (Includes current club, university and community club)
15 Lia Green (Loughborough Lightning, Loughborough University, Winscombe RFC)
14 Reneeqa Bonner (Bristol Bears, Hartpury University, Clevedon Rugby Club) *
13 Millie Hyett (Gloucester-Hartpury, Hartpury College, Worcester Girls RFC)
12 Amelia MacDougall (Saracens, Oaklands College, Old Albanian RFC)
11 Sophie Hopkins (Sale Sharks, University of Manchester, Fullerians RFC)
10 Ella Cromack (Harlequins, City of Oxford College, Reading Rugby Football Club)
9 Tori Sellors (Saracens, University of Worcester, Sevenoaks Rugby Club) *
1 Chloe Flanagan (Saracens, Old Albanian RFC)
2 Niamh Swailes (Sale Sharks, Salford University, Ryton RUFC) *
3 Catherine Wells (Loughborough Lightning, University of Worcester, Barkers Butts RFC) *
4 Lilli Ives Campion (c) (Loughborough Lightning, Loughborough University, Telford Hornets RFC) *
5 Lola Whitley (Gloucester-Hartpury, Hartpury College, Sudbury RFC) *
6 Steph Else (Gloucester-Hartpury, Hartpury University, Scarborough Rugby Union Football Club) *
7 Ellie Roberts (Loughborough Lightning, Loughborough University, Basingstoke RFC)
8 Annabel Meta (Trailfinders Women, The Henley College, Wimbledon RFC)
Replacements
16 Lucy Calladine (Loughborough Lightning, University of Worcester, Burton Rugby Football Club)
17 Amelia Williams (Loughborough Lightning, Loughborough University, Medway Rugby Football Club)
18 Hannah Sams (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College, Kingsbridge RFC)
19 Jorja Battishill (Gloucester-Hartpury, Hartpury University, Gloucester-Hartpury)
20 Joia Bennett (Saracens, Loreto College, Old Albanian RFC))
21 Alex Wilkinson (Henley Hawks, Oxford University, Henley Hawks)
22 Samantha Shiels (Trailfinders Women, Brunel University, Grasshoppers RFC)
23 Evelyn Clarke (Loughborough Lightning, Birmingham University, Worcester Girls RFC)
24 Carmela Morrall (Loughborough Lightning, Loughborough University, Dubai Hurricanes)
25 Millie David (Bristol Bears, University of West England, Reading Rugby Football Club)
*denotes a player capped at U20 level for England
England U20 Women’s spring 2024 fixtures
- England U20 Women vs. Army – 23 March 2024 (Havant RFC, 17:30 GMT kick-off)
- France U20 Women vs. England U20 Women – 20 April 2024 (Stade Jean Mermoz, Rouen, 18:00 GMT kick-off)
- England U20 Women vs. Wales U20 Women – 4 May 2024 (Dings Crusaders RFC, 14:30 GMT kick-off)
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