Five Chiefs in England Women's U20s squad

By Mark Stevens
23/3/22

Five Exeter Chiefs players have been named in Amy Turner’s England Women’s Under-20s squad for this weekend’s Test against France (Saturday 26 March, KO 5pm).

Fresh from their 38-7 victory over Scotland Futures at the Darlington Arena last Saturday, Turner’s group travel to Evreux, Normandy to face Les Bleues.

Starting for the visitors will be the Chiefs trio of Nancy McGillivray, Flo Robinson and Maisy Allen, who is named as vice-captain - and they will be joined in the ranks by club-mates Abby Middlebrooke and Georgie Grimes, who have been named on the bench.

The match is the first of back-to-back fixtures against France - England then host at Henley Hawks RFC on Saturday 2 April (KO 2pm). Entry to the home match will also be free.

Looking ahead to the game, Allen said: “It’s really exciting for the squad to finally get to play under 20s fixtures as it’s been a long wait through Covid. A lot of us have been in the pathway for a long time together so being able to play for each other will really solidify the relationships. I think we’re in a really good place with the shape and set piece so will be good to put it into practice to prepare us for the upcoming France games.

“Having the opportunity to play against France is amazing, it won’t be like any ordinary trip for any of us. We’ve been preparing this season for these moments and I’m excited to see how the squad can build upon last week’s performance.

“After reviewing the game against Scotland we have recognised a few things to work on, as a different team could have exploited these areas, so these will be key focus points for us this weekend.”

ENGLAND WOMEN’S UNDER-20s SIDE TO FACE FRANCE

15. Abi Kershaw (Worcester Warriors)
14. Holly Thorpe (DMP Durham Sharks)
13. Georgina Tasker (Loughborough Lightning)
12. Nancy McGillivray (Exeter Chiefs)
11. Jenny Hesketh (Bristol Bears, capt)
10. Lizzie Duffy (Sale Sharks)
9. Flo Robinson (Exeter Chiefs)
1. China Kill (Bristol Bears)
2. Alana Bainbridge (DMP Durham Sharks)
3. Kelsey Clifford (Saracens)
4. Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning)
5. Delaney Burns (Bristol Bears)
6. Nikita Prothero (Loughborough Lightning)
7. Maisy Allen (Exeter Chiefs, vice-capt)
8. Gabriella Nigrelli (Bristol Bears)

16. Rosie Dobson (Harlequins)
17. Abby Middlebrooke (Exeter Chiefs)
18. Georgie Grimes (Exeter Chiefs)
19. Daisy Hibbert-Jones (Sale Sharks)
20. Jemima Moss (Worcester Warriors)
21. Alicia Maude (Gloucester-Hartpury)
22. Pip Hendy (Gloucester-Hartpury)
23. Grace Crompton (Bristol Bears)