Head coach James Cooper has confirmed the England U20 Women matchday 23 for his side’s first Transatlantic Quad Series encounter with Canada this Friday.  

The fixture kicks-off at 17:30 BST on 18 July at Cardiff Arms Park and will be streamed live on RugbyPass TV.  

No 8 Lucy Finch will lead the squad as captain after winning four U18 Women’s caps, while centre Sarah Parry is selected as vice-captain. 

Cooper and LJ Lewis, the latter of whom will take charge of next Wednesday’s fixture against USA, have selected a largely U19 cohort of players for the series. The programme has been designed to support targeted players transitioning from the U18 age-grade and for U20 players not selected for the recent Six Nations Women’s Summer Series.

This year, the England Women’s Pathway is integrated following the U20 Women’s tri-series between Wales, USA and Canada in 2023. It continues on key developments for the age-grade after the RFU announced new centralised Player Development Group (PDG) centres, investment from The British & Irish Lions funding and the inaugural Women’s Summer Series. 

Cooper said: "We're incredibly excited to be a part of a really important series for the women's pathway, the girls are determined to make a positive impression over the next week. 

"Amidst a busy period for the pathway, we have taken these games as a chance to set out a platform for our players that are graduating the U18 programme alongside U20 players. 

"It's a unique opportunity and one myself, the coaches and players are all acutely aware of, and are relishing the challenge of Canada this Friday." 

England U20 Women’s team to face Canada 

Starting

15. Daisy Aspinall (Hartpury College) 

14. Abigail Pritchard (Hartpury College) 

13. Sarah Parry (vc) (Harlequins) 

12. Molly Bunker (Hartpury College) 

11. Connie Clarke (Exeter Chiefs) 

10. Becca Jackson (Hartpury College) 

9. Poppy Love (Henley College) 

1. Zara Green (Harlequins) 

2. Lucy Simpson (Hartpury College) 

3. Ruby Winstanley (Harlequins) 

4. Jasmine Adonri (City of Oxford College) 

5. Josie Plant (Exeter Chiefs) 

6. Iley Bailey (Harlequins) 

7. Kaya Acton (Bishop Burton College) 

8. Lucy Finch (c) (Loughborough Lightning) 

Replacements 

16. Heidi Pashaei-Tarighoun (SGS Filton College) 

17. Bethan Candlin (Loughborough College) 

18. Keira Muir (Oaklands College) 

19. Thea Sylvester (Trailfinders Women) 

20. Abbie Hart (Loughborough College) 

21. Emily Lunn (Henley College) 

22. Jess Doyle (North East) 

23. Tilly Pulfer (Exeter College) 

England Transatlantic Quad Series fixtures 

Friday 19 July 2024 – England v Canada – 17:30 BST kick-off – Cardiff Arms Park 

Wednesday 24 July 2024 – England v USA – 17:30 BST kick-off – Cardiff Arms Park