Nine Loughborough Lightning players have included in a 33-strong for this week’s training camp at Loughborough University.
Lucy Calladine captains the group and is joined by her clubmates Grace Clifford, Lucy Finch, Keevy Fitzpatrick, Haineala Lutui, Amelia Williams, Lia Green, Molly Luthayi and Carmela Morrall.
Uncapped Luthayi is invited into train with the squad having won two U18 caps previously in 2022. The U23 centre has 13 BUCS National League appearances for Loughborough University this season, as well as her tenth outing for Lightning in the 2024/25 PWR Up Series in September.
Luthayi’s Lightning teammate and transitional Red Rose Grace Clifford makes her anticipated return from injury and returns to the U20 fold alongside forwards Joia Bennett (Saracens) and Hannah Sams (Exeter Chiefs).
Head coach LJ Lewis will be supported by fellow pathway staff Sarah McKenna (U20 Women assistant coach), Benny Williams (PDG Lead), James Cooper (U18 Women head coach), Oli Perry (U18 Women assistant coach) and Sarah Hunter (Red Roses defence and transition coach).
England U20 Women travel to Bisham Abbey next week (Wednesday 28 – Friday 30) before returning Monday 9 June for a four-day camp in Berkshire in preparation for this July’s Six Nations Women’s Summer Series.
LJ Lewis said: “Our game against South Africa was a fantastic learning opportunity for our players in regard to physicality and courage ahead of a busy summer. Some players were exposed to a senior international environment for the first time; those experiences will be invaluable for their development.
“It’s exciting to welcome Molly [Luthayi], Grace [Clifford], Joia [Bennett] and Hannah [Sams] into the team. With their experience in the pathway, their role of reinforcing winning moments will be crucial.
“This is our first opportunity to put our learnings into practice since Marcoussis, and our camps in the coming weeks will aim to reinforce our game principles. We want to challenge the players on how we can play faster using the framework, playing to best space and having winning moments with and without the ball alongside continued bonding as a team and showing courage in our on and off field behaviours.”
England U20 Women’s Loughborough camp squad
Forwards
Jasmine Adonri (Trailfinders Women, Dartford Valley Rugby Club, uncapped)
Iley Bailey (Harlequins, Farnham RFC, uncapped)
Joia Bennett (Saracens, Old Albanian RFC, 6 caps)
Lucy Calladine (c) (Loughborough Lightning, Burton Rugby Football Club, 6 caps)
Grace Clifford (Loughborough Lightning, Horsham Rugby Club, 3 caps)
Lucy Finch (Loughborough Lightning, Newbury RFC, uncapped)
Keevy Fitzpatrick (Loughborough Lightning, Sudbury RFC, uncapped)
Zara Green (Harlequins, Lewes RFC, uncapped)
Amelia Hyndman (Sale Sharks, Bishop Auckland RUFC, 2 caps)
Haineala Lutui (Loughborough Lightning, Worcester RFC, uncapped)
Sophie McQueen (Gloucester-Hartpury, Chippenham RFC, uncapped)
Annabel Meta (Trailfinders Women, Wimbledon RFC, 3 caps)
Maddy Page (Harlequins, Buckingham RFC, uncapped)
Lilly Plowman (Exeter Chiefs, Crediton RFC, uncapped)
Hannah Sams (Exeter Chiefs, Ivybridge RFC, 5 caps)
Lucy Simpson (Gloucester-Hartpury, Rams RFC, uncapped)
Alisha Smith (Gloucester-Hartpury, Drybrook RFC, uncapped)
Ellie Smith (Leicester Tigers, Barton under Needwood RFC, uncapped)
Amelia Williams (Loughborough Lightning, Medway RFC, 7 caps)
Backs
Daisy Aspinall (Gloucester-Hartpury, Stafford RFC, uncapped)
Molly Bunker (Gloucester-Hartpury, Havant RFC, uncapped)
Ella Cromack (Harlequins, Reading RFC, 4 caps)
Jess Doyle (Bath University, Northern Football Club, uncapped)
Natalee Evans (Bristol Bears, Shrewsbury RFC, uncapped)
Lia Green (Loughborough Lightning, Winscombe RFC, 6 caps)
Sophie Hopkins (Sale Sharks, Fullerians RFC, 4 caps)
Millie Hyett (Gloucester-Hartpury, Evesham RFC, 6 caps)
Poppy Love (Trailfinders Women, Grasshoppers RFC, uncapped)
Molly Luthayi (Loughborough Lightning, Kettering Rugby, uncapped)
Carmela Morrall (Loughborough Lightning, Dubai Hurricanes, 5 caps)
Sarah Parry (Harlequins, Newtown Rugby Club, uncapped)
Abigail Pritchard (Gloucester-Hartpury, Medway RFC, uncapped)
Eva Wood (Sale Sharks, Old Halesonians RFC, uncapped)
Loughborough Lightning 2025/26 Season Tickets are available priced from £55*/£15*, please click HERE for more information!
