Hoppers’ Connie Clark has been named in the England U18 Women Squad to play Wales on 5th March.
The squad will also compete in the 2023 U18 Six Nations Festival, running from 7-15 April at Wellington College.
England’s player pathway programme – of which the women’s U18 is an important part – is a vital development tool for future international rugby and growth of the women’s game, especially during a new era ahead of a home 2025 Rugby World Cup.
England Head Coach, James Cooper, who is also a former Preston Grasshopper, having represented the club in the Mini/Junior section and representing Lancashire and the North of England, said “Congratulations to all the women who have been selected to be part of this squad. They’ve worked incredibly hard and we’re excited by the strength and depth of the group.”
“We’ve been together as a group since August last year, during which time we’ve had 84 players in camp, so it was very difficult for the coaching group to whittle the squad down to just 34. That being said, I would have no hesitation in calling any one of those women who haven’t been selected back into camp or a match day 23 if needed.”
A delighted Preston Grasshoppers Girls Head Coach Steve Tiernan added “This is another step in Connie’s amazing journey. To have Preston Grasshoppers represented in a national squad, like many Hoppers before her is a proud moment for us all at the club. More importantly, this just inspires more and more girls from the area and shows them what can be achieved here, in our fantastic girls rugby sides. The added inspiration for Connie is that many years ago I promised that I would wear an England shirt to her first ever England game so, I’ll be there, proud as punch, in white and I cannot wait!”
ENGLAND U18 WOMEN SQUAD
Jasmine Adonri (Medway, Centre of Excellence: Wasps)
Daisy Aspinall (Burton, Gloucester Hartpury)
Lauren Bailey (Dings Crusaders, Bristol)
Lucy Calladine (Burton, Worcester)
Bridget Campbell (Sandal, Yorkshire)
Connie Clarke (Preston Grasshoppers, Sale)
Ella Cromack (Reading, Wasps)
Millie David (Reading, Wasps)
Natalee Evans (Shrewsbury, Worcester)
Lucy Finch (Henley College, Harlequins)
Emma Gerrard (Morpeth, North East and Cumbria)
Evie Haskell (Mansfield, Loughborough)
Sophie Hopkins (Fullerians, Wasps)
Millie Hyett (Hartpury College, Gloucester Hartpury)
Lauren Knowler (Guildfordians, Harlequins)
Haineala Lutui (Worcester, Worcester)
Amelia MacDougall (Old Albanians, Saracens)
Sophie McQueen (Hartpury College, Gloucester Hartpury)
Annabel Meta (Wimbledon, Harlequins)
Keira Muir (Basildon, Saracens)
Sarah Parry (Shrewsbury, Worcester)
Heidi Pashaei Tarighoun (North Bristol, Bristol)
Millie Pearce (Reading, Wasps)
Josie Plant (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter)
Lilly Plowman (Crediton, Exeter)
Kayleigh Priest (Exeter College, Exeter)
Anna Richardson (Tynedale, North East and Cumbria)
Hannah Sams (Ivybridge, Exeter)
Lucie Sams (Liverpool St Helens, Sale)
Sam Shiels (Henley College, Wasps)
Lucy Ward (Exeter College, Exeter)
Amelia Williams (Medway, Gloucester Hartpury)
Ruby Winstanley (Guildfordians, Harlequins)
Ellie Wood (Sidmouth, Exeter)
