Doidge gets Team England call-up

By Mark Stevens
10/7/22

Exeter Chiefs Women’s ace Merryn Doidge says she is “honoured” to have been named in Team England’s Sevens squad for this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

The 21-year-old back, who last season made her full England debut at 7s level, has been named in a 13-strong squad, which will be led by co-captains Abbie Brown and Meg Jones.

England Women will be looking to further their success this summer in the Midlands, this after their Europe Trophy Series wins in Budapest and Zagreb last month.

Doidge, who has been a near ever-present for the Chiefs since arriving from Bristol Bears in the summer of 2020, said: “It’s hard to put into words just what I feel right now. That said, I’m absolutely honoured to be part of this squad and to pull on the Team England jersey.”

Born in Cornwall, Doidge started playing at Liskeard-Looe alongside her brother, before moving to Newquay Queen Bees U15s at the age of 12.

Keen to develop her career within the game, she moved to Exeter to attend Exeter College, where she captained the side in her second year - and she was also selected for Cornwall and England U18s the same year.

Doidge has since progressed through the age groups, representing England U20s and the National Academy side against the USA and Canada, and is now one of the rising stars within the Allianz Premier 15s division.

Like Doidge, co-captain Brown added: “With it being a home tournament, you can sense the excitement and the build-up increasing. So many friends and family members are coming to watch which is brilliant for Team England.

"There’s a real buzz around it for us as a squad with the aim of going out and achieving gold. We’re all working hard in camps to prepare for our World Cup qualifier and then Birmingham 2022. We're all hugely honoured to go out there and represent Team England."

TEAM ENGLAND WOMEN’S SEVENS SQUAD FOR COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2022

Ellie Boatman
Abbie Brown (CC)
Heather Cowell
Grace Crompton
Merryn Doidge
Meg Jones (CC)
Alicia Maude
Isla Norman-Bell
Celia Quansah
Jade Shekells
Lauren Torley
Emma Uren
Amy Wilson Hardy