England U20 win Canada series 3-0

England U20s completed a 3-0 series win over Canada after recording a six-try 34-12 victory at Trent College, Long Eaton.

Published by John Birch, August 26th, 2016

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England U20 win Canada series 3-0

(Photo: RFU)

First-half tries from Sydney Gregson and Abigail Dow opened up a 12-5 lead, and further scores from Jess Breach, Sarah Bern, Kelly Smith and another Dow effort confirmed victory.

The score was level midway through the first half with Sydney Gregson scoring England’s opening try and Kasselle Menin responding for Canada. Gregson was one of several players appearing for the last time at U20 level and shortly after Dow continued her fine try-scoring form.

Having scored four in Monday’s game her first-half try and Zoe Harrison’s conversion gave England a 12-5 half-time lead.

England extended that advantage to 12 points with Breach’s try although Canada did respond through Megan Pakulis’ effort and Julia Schell’s conversion to take the score to 17-12. Then late tries from Bern, Smith and a further effort from Dow as well as Harrison’s conversion sealed victory.

Yapp said Canada approached the game differently to their previous matches and that gave her side her stern test of their defensive capabilities.

"Canada came out and really stepped up their game, they came at us really hard in the first half which tested our girls which was excellent," said Yapp. “We were proud of their defensive effort because we defended for a lot of the first half and the girls worked hard for each other."

England:1 Katie Trevarthen - Lichfield (Coventry University); 2 Rebecca Noon - Lichfield (Nottingham Trent University); 3 Sarah Bern - Bristol (University Of Gloucestershire); 4 Catherine O’Donnell - Waterloo (University of Liverpool); 5 Anna Wolf - DMP (Northumbria University) ; 6 Sally Stott - (Edinburgh University); 7 Poppy Leitch - Bristol (University of Exeter); 8 Zoe Aldcroft - DMP (Northumbria University); 9 Lucy Nye Lichfield - (Loughborough University); 10 Zoe Harrison - Welwyn; 11 Jessica Breach - Pulborough; 12 Emily Wood capt - Lichfield (University of Gloucestershire); 13 Charlotte Holland - Bristol (University of Bath); 14 Abigail Dow - Wasps; 15 Sydney Gregson - Bristol (University of Bath)16 Hannah West - Wasps (Brunel University); 17 Ellie Mulhearn - Cleve (Filton); 18 Ellena Perry - Saracens; 19 Hollie Cunningham -  Cleve (Hartpury); 20 Amy Cokayne - Lichfield (Loughborough University); 21 Lagilagi Tuima -Devonport Services; 22 Kelly Smith - Worcester (Hartpury University); 23 Rachael Woosey - DMP

Canada:1. Veronica Harrigan, London, ON ; 2. Emily Tuttosi, captain (Brandon Barbarians RFC) Souris, MB; 3. Alex Ellis (Barrhaven Scottish), Ottawa, ON ; 4. Taylor Durham (Guelph Red Coats), Burford, ON; 5. Kasselle Menin (Calgary Hornets), Vulcan, AB ; 6. Kylie Shaughnessy (Guelph Red Coats), Peterborough, ON ; 7. Emily Babcock (Ottawa Irish), Scarborough, ON ; 8. Gabrielle Senft (Castaway Wanderers), Regina, SK ; 9. Justine Pelletier (Club de Rugby de Quebec), Quebec City, QC ; 10. Julia Schell (Oshawa Vikings), Uxbridge, ON ; 11. Savannah Dubien (Rockers Athletic Club), Edmonton, AB ; 12. Zana Everett, Brockville, ON ; 13. Jordyn Orlando (Burlington Centaurs) Burlington, ON ; 14. McKenzie Pusch (St. Albert RFC), Edmonton, AB ; 15. Dana Silerova (Sainte-Ann de Bellevue), Montreal, QC16.Tobi Owotomo (Toronto Saracens), Mississauga, ON; 17. Mackenzie Carson (Abbotsford RFC), Abbotsford, BC ; 18. Meggie Turgeon (Club de Rugby de Quebec) Sherbrooke, QC ; 19. McKinley Hunt (Aurora Barbarians), King City, ON ; 20. Erin Geddes (Lindsay Gryphons), Lindsay, ON ; 21. Megan Pakulis (Toronto Saracens), Toronto, ON ; 22. Shawna Brayton (Sainte-Ann de Bellevue), Chateauguay, QC ; 23. Karina Stevenson (Calgary Hornets), Rocky Mountain House, AB

The win completes an impressive week for Jo Yapp’s side, had previously recorded successive victories against Canada, beating their opponents 46-8 and 39-12. Over the week they scored 21 tries, and conceded just five – though Canada improved from match to match.

Yapp also believes the two-week camp as well as the three matches will be invaluable in their development. "We’ve learned so much about the players, having them for two weeks and having an opportunity to work with them has been invaluable really,” she said. "Seeing the girls playing in three matches in this type of environment has also been excellent. It will stand them in good stead going forward."

For Gregson, Caity Mattinson, Katie Trevarthen, Catherine O’Donnell, Amy Cokayne, captain Millie Wood, Smith, Lottie Holland, Lucy Nye, Rebecca Noon as well as May Campbell and Olivia Jones, who were not involved through injury, the series was their final involvement with the U20 age-group.

And Yapp paid tribute to their contribution to England’s age-grade programme.

“They’ve all had a massive impact in terms of driving the programme forward,” said Yapp. “They are going to move on and become successful in senior rugby. The ones that have really supported the programme are Caity Mattinson, Katie Trevarthen, Mille Wood - they’ve been key for me as part of the player representative group and have helped to raise the standard as well as expectations of the group. They’ve done that be leading by example.”

Yapp also said she was “immensely proud” of them as they prepare now for senior rugby. “As a 20s programme we are really going to miss them,” she added. “They have been hugely influential characters and we want nothing more than to see them progress and continue to enjoy their rugby, as well as make the step up either into the sevens or senior game. Nothing would give us more pleasure than seeing them to go on and be successful because this group of players deserve that.”

England U20 internationals, 2015-16

05/03/2016

England U20

25

25

France U20

Esher

19/03/2016

France U20

24

12

England U20

Chartres

05/04/2016

England TDG

41

17

Canada U18

Bicton College

09/04/2016

England TDG

17

12

Canada U18

Bicton College

18/08/2016

England U20

46

8

Canada U20

Trent College

22/08/2016

England U20

39

12

Canada U20

Trent College

26/08/2016

England U20

34

12

Canada U20

Trent College

(Canada played no other U20 internationals in 2015-16)

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