Chiefs named in England women's pathway squad for summer series

Head coach LJ Lewis and assistant coach Sarah McKenna have named a 30-player England Rugby Women’s Pathway squad for the first Six Nations Women’s Summer Series this July in Parma, Italy, with Exeter Chiefs Sophie Langford and Hannah Sams both named.

With a squad made up of predominantly U20 players, England will face Ireland (4 July, 17:30 BST kick-off), Wales (9 July, 20:00 BST kick-off) and France (14 July, 20:00 BST kick-off) in the inaugural outing of the tournament at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi. Each union can select up to three U23 players per matchday squad.

Steph Else (Gloucester-Hartpury), Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning) and Tori Sellors (Saracens) boast the most experience in the group, each with six U20 caps.

Ives Campion is the selected tournament captain after leading her country against Army Women this spring, whilst Else seeks to continue her form following on from being awarded a transitional Red Roses contract and winning the 2023/24 Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) final.

Trailfinders Women tighthead prop Kira Leat is reintegrated into pathway action as the only uncapped member of the travelling party at U20 level. The 19-year-old has three U18 Women’s caps for England and has gained valuable match exposure for Trailfinders Women in Premiership and Allianz Cup action this season.

Eight of nine PWR clubs are included in the squad makeup, with further representation of Championship South 1 and BUCS National League through Alex Wilkinson (Henley Hawks) and Anna Richardson (Exeter University), respectively. 27 of the 28 players at PWR clubs have gained exposure in senior league and cup settings this season.

The Women’s Summer Series is intended to offer players a vital new opportunity to graduate through the rugby development pathway, from the U18 level. For those players who may have missed the U18 entry point onto the rugby pathway, the Women’s Summer Series opens up another route to international rugby.

The Six Nations Women’s Summer Series will be available to fans all over the world, via exclusive coverage on the Six Nations Rugby YouTube channels, with supporting coverage across dedicated Under-20 Six Nations social media channels.

LJ Lewis said: “Myself, Sarah and all of the Women’s Pathway management are extremely proud to announce our squad today. The significance of being part of the first tournament is not lost on us and we’re delighted to be involved in Parma in the coming weeks.

“We’re grateful to possess such a talented group and our final selection was not made easily, such is the depth of talent we have within the England Rugby pathway.

“I would also like to congratulate Lilli [Ives Campion] on her captaincy. I have every faith she can implement our strategy on the pitch and lead the team to be ultimate competitors on the biggest stage this summer.”

England’s Six Nations Women’s Summer Series squad(includes current club, community club and U20 caps)

Forwards
Jorja Battishill (Gloucester-Hartpury, Gloucester-Hartpury, 3 caps)

Joia Bennett (Saracens, Old Albanian RFC, 3 caps)

Lucy Calladine (Loughborough Lightning, Burton Rugby Football Club, 3 caps)

Steph Else (Gloucester-Hartpury, Scarborough Rugby Union Football Club, 6 caps)

Chloe Flanagan (Saracens, Old Albanian RFC, 3 caps)

Amelia Hyndman (Sale Sharks, Bishop Auckland Rugby Club, 1 cap)

Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning, Telford Hornets RFC, 6 caps)

Kira Leat (Trailfinders Women, Havant RFC, Uncapped)

Annabel Meta (Trailfinders Women, Wimbledon RFC, 1 cap)

Anna Richardson (Exeter University, Tynedale RFC, Uncapped)

Ellie Roberts (Loughborough Lightning, Basingstoke RFC, 3 caps)

Hannah Sams (Exeter Chiefs, Kingsbridge RFC, 3 caps)

Tyla Shirley (Harlequins, Hove Rugby Club, 2 caps)

Niamh Swailes (Sale Sharks, Ryton RUFC, 5 caps)

Catherine Wells (Loughborough Lightning, Barkers Butts RFC, 5 caps)

Lola Whitley (Gloucester-Hartpury, Sudbury RFC, 4 caps)

Amelia Williams (Loughborough Lightning, Medway Rugby Football Club, 3 caps)

Backs

Reneeqa Bonner (Bristol Bears, Clevedon Rugby Club, 4 caps)

Ella Cromack (Harlequins, Reading Rugby Football Club, 2 caps)

Millie David (Bristol Bears, Reading Rugby Football Club, 3 caps)

Lia Green (Loughborough Lightning, Winscombe RFC, 3 caps)

Sophie Hopkins (Sale Sharks, Fullerians RFC, 2 caps)

Millie Hyett (Gloucester-Hartpury, Worcester Girls RFC, 3 caps)

Sophie Langford (Exeter Chiefs, Hong Kong Football Club, 2 caps)

Amelia MacDougall (Saracens, Old Albanian RFC, 3 caps)

Carmela Morrall (Loughborough Lightning, Dubai Hurricanes, 3 caps)

Tori Sellors (Saracens, Sevenoaks Rugby Club, 6 caps)

Samantha Shiels (Trailfinders Women, Grasshoppers RFC, 1 cap)

Katie Shillaker (Harlequins, Horsham RFC, 1 cap)

Alex Wilkinson (Henley Hawks, Henley Hawks, 3 caps)

England’s Six Nations Women’s Summer Series fixtures

4 July 2024 – England vs. Ireland – 17:30 BST kick-off

9 July 2024 – Wales vs. England – 20:00 BST kick-off

14 July 2024 – England vs. France – 20:00 BST kick-off