England Women U20 coach Jo Yapp has announced the squad to face USA on Tuesday 14 August at Acadia University, Wolfville. Gloucester-Hartpury’s Connie Powell will start at hooker, while Jess Cooksey is named amongst the replacements.

Live online via Rugby Canada with kick off at 10.30pm (BST), this is the second of a three-game tour for England, who defeated Canada 36-22 on Friday.

Worcester Valkyries full back Victoria Laflin and Hartpury College back Jessica Cooksey come onto the bench, both looking to make their debut in an England shirt.

Yapp makes nine positional changes to the starting 15, while resting fly half Zoe Harrison, who scored one try and three conversions on Friday, as well as centre Bethany Wilcock, who was named on the bench last time out.

“We were really pleased with the result against Canada who pushed us to the final whistle," said Yapp. "The players have reviewed the game and have been working hard to develop the areas highlighted to work on.

“We have a squad of 26 out here and a tight turnaround between the three games. This game will give us an opportunity to develop the squad and we look forward to seeing new combinations. Vicky and Jessica also come into the squad to make their debut for the U20s.

“The USA had a strong opening game against Canada and we are expecting a really physical encounter. They've had longer since their opening game but we are pleased with how our squad have recovered.

“This short turnaround of games is great preparation for players moving into senior rugby where the tournament schedules will be really demanding.”

USA U20 were defeated 36-12 by Canada U20 last Tuesday, and last played England Women U20 in the 2013 Nations Cup where they recorded a 27-17 victory.

England Women U20s

Lagilagi Tuima (Bristol Bears Women / Exeter University); 14. Lilian Stoeger-Goddard (Bristol Bears Women / Plymouth Marjons University), 13. Phoebe Murray (Bristol Bears Women / Bristol University) ©, 12. Lucy Attwood (Bristol Bears Women, Bristol University), 11. Abigail Dow (Wasps Ladies / Imperial College London); 10. Ellie Green (Harlequins Ladies, N/A) , 9. Ella Wyrwas (Saracens Women, N/A); 1. Akina Gondwe (Worcester Valkyries /Worcester University), 2. Connie Powell (Gloucester-Hartpury Women / Hartpury College), 3. Ellie Mulhearn (Bristol Bears Women, N/A); 4. Rianna Manson (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks/ York St. John University), 5. Hollie Cunningham (Bristol Bears Women / Exeter University); 6. Cara Brincat (Worcester Valkyries / Worcester University), 7. Amelia Harper (Loughborough Lightning /Loughborough College), 8. Sarah Beckett (Firwood Waterloo Ladies, N/A)

Replacements

Leah Bartlett (Loughborough Lightning, Loughborough University), 17. Ellena Perry (Saracens Women / Coventry University), 18. Detysha Harper (Firwood Waterloo Ladies, N/A), 19. Rosie Galligan (Saracens Women / Loughborough University), 20. Charlie Wilcock (Worcester Valkyries, N/A), 21. Brooke Bradley (Bristol Bears Women / Exmouth Community College), 22. Victoria Laflin (Worcester Valkyries/ Worcester University), 23. Jessica Cooksey (Winscombe / Hartpury College)

England Women U20 fixtures and results

Canada Women U20 22 - 36 England Women U20

Tuesday 14 August – USA Women U20 v England Women U20, Acadia University (Wolfville), KO 10.30pm BST

Saturday 18 August – Canada U20 v England Women U20, Wanderers Grounds (Halifax), KO 8.00pm BST

Connie Powell to start for England Women U20 against USA

Related News