England U20s squad named for French test

Yapp brings four new names into the squad of 23 since their most recent game against Army Women on 18 February, while three of the starting 15 began on the bench that day.

The side enjoyed a five try,41-12 victory away to the Armyat Aldershot Army Stadium, capping 16 new players in the process.

Returning are Bristol full back Sydney Gregson and Lichfield prop Katie Trevarthen, alongside Edinburgh University student Sally Stott, who starts at blindside flanker, with Bristol players Olivia Jones and Sarah Bern on the bench.

Poppy Leitch, who has gained two senior England caps so far this Six Nations, returns to the squad to start at openside flanker. Becky Noon, Hannah West and Lottie Holland, who all started the game against the Army, will begin on the bench this weekend.

Yapp said: “We have a strong squad of 23 players who will all have an impact on the game. The returning five all add experience to the team, having played for us last season against France.

“It was great to get the win under our belt two weeks ago against the Army but that was as much about the performance as the fact we won, as I was impressed by the way the girls performed that day.”

England will be looking to improve on last season’s two clashes against France U20, having lost away 25-0 before bringing the scores closer to 5-10 at home last March.

Yapp added: “Like last year we expect tough competition from the French. This is a development side and we are looking forward to seeing how the players step up to the challenge and cope with the pressure.”

Saturday will mark the first of two games against France this month, with the second away at Chantilly RFC on Saturday 19 March. Tickets for Saturday’s match are available via EsherRugby.com.

England face a tough task - they have only beaten France once at U20 level in 12 attempts, and have lost the last 10 games.

"Our key focus has been on ball retention, developing more aggression in one-on-one situations and the ability to complete moves, providing the final pass and improving the continuity of the game. The goal is always to train these young players to the highest level and give them what is needed to get there. The English expect a victory after ten losses against us, and that will set the tone of the game on their field. "

England U20 to face France U20 (Club, University/AASE)15. Sydney Gregson (Bristol, University of Bath)14. Rachael Woosey (Darlington Mowden Park, Bishop Burton College)13. Holly Aitchison (Lichfield, Hartpury College)12. Emily Wood (Captain) (Lichfield, University of Gloucestershire)11. Abigail Dow (Wasps)10. Zoe Harrison (Welwn, Hartpury College)9. Lucy Nye (Lichfield, Loughborough University)1. Ellena Perry (Saracens, Hartpury College)2. May Campbell (Wasps, Brunel University)3. Katie Trevarthen (Lichfield, Coventry University)4. Molly Morrissey (Lichfield, Hartpury University)5. Catherine O'Donnell (waterloo, University of Liverpool)6. Sally Stott (-, Edinburgh University)7. Poppy Leitch (Bristol, University of Exeter)8. Zoe Aldcroft (Darlington Mowden Park, Northumbria University)Replacements16. Rebecca Noon (Lichfield, Nottingham Trent University)17. Jessie Hood (Bristol, University of Bath)18. Hannah West (Wasps, Brunel University)19. Olivia Jones (Bristol, Cardiff Metropolitan)20. Sarah Bern (Bristol, University of Gloucestershire)21. Chantelle Miell (Bristol, University of Bath)22. Charlotte Holland (Bristol, University of Bath)23. Kelly Smith (Worcester, Hartpury University)

FRANCE SQUAD

ABDEREMANE Maeva (AC Bobigny 93)BAGUETTE Lou (US Tarbes)BUZENET Miléna (Stade Rennais Rugby)CHAILLOUX Camille (LOU Rugby féminin)COMBEBIAS Mélanie (Stade Toulousain)DESHAYE Annaelle (Ovalie Caennaise, Pôle France)FAURE Cindy (USA Perpignan)FILOPON Maelle (Rugby Sassenage Isère)GUIGUET Elisa (Rugby Sassenage Isère)HAMON Marie (Stade Rennais Rugby, Pôle France)HERMET Gaëlle (Stade Toulousain)JASON Ian (Stade Rennais Rugby, Pôle France)LAPOUJADE Maëlia (Stade Bordelais ASPTT)LECAT Fiona (Stade Toulousain, Pôle France)MENAGER Marine (Lille Métropole RC Villeneuvois, Pôle France)MIAS Philippine (Rugby Sassenage Isère)NEISEN Carla (Blagnac Saint-Orens Rugby Féminin, Pôle France)SAHEB Maeva (Ovalie Romagnatoise Clermont Auvergne)SANCH Noémie (Montpellier, Pôle France)SOULARD Pauline (Blagnac Saint-Orens Rugby Féminin)THIMON Lindsey (AC Bobigny 93)TOUYÉ Laure (Blagnac Saint-Orens Rugby Féminin)VANTHOURNOUT Marie (Stade Montois)