Canada & England ready for U20 series

England U20s last played against France in March (Photo: RFU.com)

England have selected a squad of 26 - including five senior-capped players – who will come together this weekend in advance of the series.

Poppy Leitch (Bristol), Zoe Aldcroft (Darlington Mowden Park), Sarah Bern (Bristol), and Millie Wood (Lichfield, who also captains the team), who all took part in this summer’s Super Series. Are selected along with Amy Cokayne (Lichfield) who joins the squad as the three U20 hookers are unavaiable.  Hollie Cunningham (Cleve), Ellie Mulhearn (Cleve) and Lagi Tuima (Plymouth Albion) are dut to make their age group debuts.

Head Coach Jo Yapp said: “We have had a very successful three-day camp at RAF Cosford with the squad last month and the two weeks together will provide the players with a further opportunity to train and play in an international team environment. We have a really exciting group of players coming through and we look forward to taking on Canada, who will provide us with tough competition.”

Canada’s head coach Jen Boyd named her squad last week. Most of the players were selected from last month’s Canadian Rugby Championship U20 tournament, where Ontario Blues’ Taejah Thompson top scored along with Tobi Owotomo, who scored a tournament high five tries. Both will be players to watch out for in Nottingham.

“This team is very athletic, fast, mobile and physically imposing,” Boyd said. “We have selected a versatile squad. We have athletes capable of playing several positions which will prove invaluable deep into tour. The level is much higher than last year and this is a testament to the growing U18 Women’s program as well as the CIS. Coaches have recognized the need for a 12-month high performance environment for our elite athletes. It is paying off. Some very good rugby players were left off of the travelling squads. The coaching staff had to make difficult decisions.”

Trent College is a happy hunting ground for the Canadians as it was here they won the U20 Nations Cup, beating USA, South Africa and England on the way. Their last outing saw them lose a two game series to the USA with an aggregate score of 70-27.

“There is no greater test for an athlete’s skills, conditioning and mental fortitude than playing an international competition against the best rugby players in the world,” Boyd said. “These tours are pivotal for the next group of athletes interested in playing at the senior level.”

The games will not be streamed live but Rugby Canada’s twitter page will be providing updates. Highlights will be available shortly after each game.

England Women U20 v Canada Women U20 games at Nottingham Trent College

1st match                 Thursday 18 August, KO 5.30pm2nd match               Monday 22 August, KO 5.30pm3rd match                Friday 26 August, KO 5.30pm

England U20 Squad (Club, University (Test caps, U20 caps)): Holly Aitchison (Lichfield (0, 2)); Zoe Aldcroft (Darlington Mowden Park, Northumbria University (2, 5)); Sarah Bern (Bristol, University Of Gloucestershire (2, 4)); Jessica Breach (Pulborough (0, 1)); Amy Cokayne (Lichfield, Loughborough University (16, 1)); Hollie Cunningham (Cleve, Hartpury College (uncapped)); Abigail Dow (Wasps (0, 3)); Sydney Gregson (Bristol, University of Bath (3, 5)); Zoe Harrison (Saracens (0, 3)); Lottie Holland (Bristol, University of Bath (0, 5)); Poppy Leitch (Bristol, University of Exeter (6, 2)); Caity Mattinson (Darlington Mowden Park, Northumbria University (0, 1); Molly Morrissey (Lichfield, Hartpury University (0, 1)); Ellie Mulhearn (Cleve, Filton (uncapped)); Rebecca Noon (Lichfield, Nottingham Trent University (0, 6)); Lucy Nye (Lichfield, Loughborough University (0, 5)); Catherine O’Donnell (Waterloo, University of Liverpool (0, 5)); Ellena Perry (Saracens (0, 3); Kelly Smith (Worcester, Hartpury University (0, 3)); Sally Stott (Edinburgh University (0, 3); Katie Trevarthen (Lichfield, Coventry University (0, 4); Lagi Tuima (Plymouth Albion (uncapped); Hannah West (Wasps, Brunel University (0, 3); Anna Wolf (Darlington Mowden Park, Northumbria University (0, 2); Millie Wood (Lichfield, University of Gloucestershire, (3, 8) ©; Rachael Woosey (Darlington Mowden Park (0, 3)

Canada (Name, club, hometown):; Appleby (Castaway Wanderers), Regina, SK ; Emily Babcock (Ottawa Irish), Scarborough, ON ; Shawna Brayton (Sainte-Ann de Bellevue), Chateauguay, QC ; Mackenzie Carson (Abbotsford RFC), Abbotsford, BC ; Savannah Dubien (Rockers Athletic Club), Edmonton, AB ; Taylor Durham (Guelph Red Coats), Burford, ON ; Alex Ellis (Barrhaven Scottish), Ottawa, ON ; Zana Everett, Brockville, ON ; Erin Geddes (Lindsay Gryphons), Lindsay, ON ; Sasha Guedes (Ottawa Irish), Gatineau, QC ; Veronica Harrigan, London,ON ; McKinley Hunt (Aurora Barbarians), King City, ON ; Kasselle Menin (Calgary Hornets), Vulcan, AB ; Jordyn Orlando (Burlington Centaurs) Burlington, ON ; Tobi Owotomo (Toronto Saracens), Mississauga, ON; Megan Pakulis (Toronto Saracens), Toronto, ON ; Justine Pelletier (Club de Rugby de Quebec), Quebec City, QC ; McKenzie Pusch (St. Albert RFC), Edmonton, AB ; Julia Schell (Oshawa Vikings), Uxbridge, ON ; Gabrielle Senft (Castaway Wanderers), Regina, SK ; Kylie Shaughnessy (Guelph Red Coats), Peterborough, ON ; Dana Silerova (Sainte-Ann de Bellevue), Montreal, QC ; Karina Stevenson (Calgary Hornets), Rocky Mountain House, AB ; Taejah Thompson, (CCIAC), Calgary, AB ; Meggie Turgeon (Club de Rugby de Quebec) Sherbrooke, QC ; Emily Tuttosi, Souris, MB;