Exeter quintet named in Under-20s squad

By Mark Stevens
24/3/23

Five Exeter Chiefs players have been named by Lou Meadows in her England Women’s Under-20s squad to take on Scotland Futures at Newcastle’s Kingston Park on Saturday, 25 March (7:45pm).

Back-row forward Maisy Allen heads up the quartet as she is named as co-captain of the side, alongside fly-half Lizzie Duffy, and she will be joined in the match-day squad by club-mates Katie Buchanan, Nancy McGillivray, Niamh Orchard and Sophie Langford.

Buchanan, Orchard and Langford are among 17 U20 debutants named by Meadows, who said: “This match against Scotland Futures will be a very special moment for all Under-20 players selected, but especially for the 17 debutants who should savour the occasion when they run out onto Kingston Park.

“We’ve had a great chance to spend time together in our development camps and to bond as a group. The players will be able to take their hard work out onto the pitch in the tournament opener tomorrow evening.

“Special thanks go to the local clubs who’ve helped us prepare in the lead up to the fixture, including Whitley Bay Rockliffe RFC who hosted training sessions and were tremendously welcoming of the Under-20 program in the North East, as well as Crossfit More Whitley Bay for hosting our gym session.

“Our first international match of the year presents both an unknown in our opposition but also a wonderful opportunity for us to focus on our own game, and so we’re relishing the chance to take on what I have no doubt will be a strong Scotland Futures side.”

England U20 team vs Scotland

15. Leah Brough (University Worcester Warriors Women)*
14. Katie Buchanan (Exeter Chiefs)*
13. Nancy McGillivray (Exeter Chiefs)
12. Phillipa Hendy (Gloucester-Hartpury)
11. Francesca Goldthorp (Loughborough Lightning)*
10. Lizzie Duffy (Sale Sharks) CC
9. Tori Sellors (Worcester Warriors)
1. Catherine Wells (University Worcester Warriors Women)*
2. Amy Dale (Gloucester-Hartpury)*
3. Grace Clifford (Loughborough Lightning)*
4. Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning)
5. Lola Whitley (Gloucester-Hartpury)*
6. Niamh Orchard (Exeter Chiefs)*
7. Maisy Allen (Exeter Chiefs) CC
8. Gabriella Nigrelli (Bristol Bears)

16. Niamh Swailes (Sale Sharks)*
17. Katherine Baverstock (Loughborough Lightning)*
18. Niahm Williams (Wasps FC)*
19. Kendall Waudby (Loughborough Lightning)
20. Nicole Wythe (Harlequins)*
21. Steph Else (Gloucester-Hartpury)*
22. Lucy Heryet (Harlequins)*
23. Lucy Weaver (Loughborough Lightning)*
24. Reneeqa Bonner (Bristol Bears)*
25. Sophie Langford (Exeter Chiefs)*
26. April Ishida (Darlington Mowden Park)

*England U20 debut