Loughborough Lightning’s Alice Bennett and Tamsin Baynes are set to make their England U21 debuts in this weekend’s Six Nations Women’s U21 Series opener against Scotland.
Saturday’s showdown at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh (kick-off: 11am) sees four Lightning players start with Bennett earning her first cap from the right wing. She is joined in the backs by Carmela Morrall, who moves to eight caps at this age grade level from inside centre.
Amelia Williams earns U21 cap number 11 from loosehead prop, and Keevy Fitzpatrick makes her third England U21 appearance from the second row.
Completing the strong Lightning contingent in the matchday squad is second row/back row Baynes – who made her Premiership Women’s Rugby debut for Lightning in their most recent fixture against Trailfinders.
England U21 Head Coach LJ Lewis said: “Opening the Six Nations U21 Series is an exciting milestone for our pathway, and the squad has shown real courage and the right mindset coming out of a strong warm-up performance against Spain’s senior side.
“This tournament is a pivotal step in providing meaningful international game time, and we’re looking for the players to bring intensity in everything they do against Scotland.
“There’s a strong bond growing within this group, and Saturday is another great opportunity to see that come to life and grow on the field.”
England U21 Women’s team to face Scotland
15 Solana Shaw de Leon (Harlequins, Sutton and Epsom, uncapped)
14 Alice Bennett (Loughborough Lightning, Peterborough RUFC, uncapped)
13 Molly Bunker (Gloucester-Hartpury, Havant RFC, 2 caps)
12 Carmela Morrall (Loughborough Lightning, Dubai Hurricanes, 7 caps)
11 Grace White (Trailfinders Women, Winscombe RFC, 1 cap) *
10 Ella Cromack (Harlequins, Reading RFC, 7 caps)
9 Amelia MacDougall (Saracens, Old Albanian RFC, 7 caps)
1 Amelia Williams (Loughborough Lightning, Medway RFC, 10 caps)
2 Hayley Jones (Trailfinders Women, Ealing Trailfinders, uncapped)
3 Aisha Jah (Bristol Bears, Mansfield, uncapped)
4 Grace Keel (Harlequins, North Bristol, uncapped)
5 Keevy Fitzpatrick (Loughborough Lightning, Sudbury RFC, 2 caps)
6 Zoë Dare (Exeter Chiefs, Cullompton RFC, uncapped) *
7 Sophie McQueen (Gloucester-Hartpury, Chippenham RFC, 3 caps)
8 Haidee Head (Trailfinders Women, Easts Tigers Rugby Union, uncapped)
Replacements:
16 Maddy Page (Harlequins, Buckingham RFC, 2 caps)
17 Zara Green (Harlequins, Lewes RFC, 2 caps)
18 Ruby Winstanley (Harlequins, Guildfordians RFC, uncapped)
19 Tamsin Baynes (Loughborough Lightning, Market Harborough RFC, uncapped)
20 Jodie Verghese (Saracens, Thurrock RFC, uncapped) *
21 Honey Kerslake (Nolli Waterman PDG, Exeter College, uncapped)
22 Poppy Love (Trailfinders Women, Grasshoppers RFC, 2 caps)
23 Millie Hyett (Bristol Bears, Evesham RFC, 8 caps)
*denotes an U23 player