Canada U18 impress, but England win

Canada Women’s U18 coach Dan Valley made nine changes to his starting lineup for the second game against England’s Talent Development Group (TDG), after Canada lost 41-17 in Game 1. Canada did get three tries from Taylor Black, Kendra Roberts and Sophie de Goede (who also had the lone conversion) but there was still clearly room for improvement.

Rebecca Wadhams was influential for England, delivering one conversion and one penalty to support tries from Ellie Kildunne and Phoebe Murray and a further conversion from Lagi Tuima as England won 17-10.

“These were two very different games, played in very different conditions, which posed questions and problems for the players,” said divisional talent development officer Alex Austerberry.“The girls came together well to find solutions to the challenges Canada put up and they will have gained invaluable experience.”

"We've had a good few days of preparation and the girls are feeling confident that we've addressed the areas the English were able to experience some success last match,” Valley said, before the game. "We're looking to apply significantly more pressure through the midfield off of set-piece and in open play and to do a better job disrupting opposition ball at the breakdown while maintaining width on defense. Communication while defending the edges of the pitch will be critical in us achieving a successful result tomorrow.. This will be a good test for our athletes - to see how well they've been able to analyze past performance and make the adjustments in a short period of time."

Canada began far better than three days before and went into an early lead with a try from Daniella Grant. However a yellow card for Sophie deGoede gave the advantage back to England, who scored a converted try while Canada were a player down. However, the visitors were soon back on terms with a second try thanks to an impressive offload and went into the break 12-7 ahead.

Unfortunately the second half saw a second Canadian yellow card, and a second England try while the were a player down. This time Canada were unable to respond, and an England penalty from the final play gave the home team a 17-12 win.

Video

England TDG U18s from: Hollie Cunningham (Cleve), Detysha Harper (Eccles), Beth Taylor (ON's), Imogen Keirl(Bishop Auckland), Tabitha Copson (Market Harborough), Rosanna Moynihan (Welwyn), Charlie Wilcock (West Park St Helens),Phoebe Murray (Ellingham and Ringwood RFC), Rebecca Wadhams (Medway), Lucy Attwood (Olney), Carys Cox (Newbury), Rowan White (Reading), Thyrza Peters (Tewkesbury), Morgan Freeman (Beckenham), Chloe Andrews (Burton), Roisin Ramage (West Park Leeds), Sarah Kilmister (Worcester), Rosie Galligan (Aylesford), Alice Burtonshaw (Beckenham), Abigail Burton (Castleford), Milly Wallis (Cleve), Hannah Botterman (Welwyn), Helena Rowland (Welwyn), Jade Shakespeare (Oakmeadians RFC), Holly Brando (OAs), Laura Thomas (Worcester), Sophie Tandy (Basingstoke RFC), Ellie Kildunne (West Park Leeds), Ellie Mulhearn (Cleve), Lauren Rigby (Lichfield), Leah Bartlett (Loughborough), Emily Ferguson (Rochford Cluster), Jasmine Bell (West Park Leeds), Esme Bird (Yatton), Brooke Bradley (Exeter Saracens), Tazmin Bricknell (Medway), Rebecca Herring (ON's),  Eloise Hayward (West Park Leeds), Olivia Almond (OAs), Sophie Hancock (Worcester), Brook Clarke (Worcester), Jess Breach (Pulborough), Jeanine Stephenson (Welwyn),Emma Uren (Esher RFC), Ella Wyras (Welwyn), Lagi-Lagi Tuima (Devonport Services), Ellie Gilbert (Devonport Services), Michaella Roberts (Camborne)

Canada U18s: 1. Tanika Bonneville (Bayside Sharks), Surrey, BC; 2. Mackenzie Carson (Abbotsford RFC), Abbotsford, BC   ; 3. Kendra Roberts (Souris Sabres), Souris, MB; 4. Keegan Brantner (Lethbridge), Taber, AB; 5. Harley Tucker (Calgary Hornets), Black Diamond, AB  ; 6. Alex Liepmann (Barrhaven Scottish), Ottawa, ON ; 7. Shaye Tudor (Castaway Wanderers), Victoria, BC; 8. Sophie de Goede (Castaway Wanderers), Victoria, BC; 9. Taylor Donato (Ottawa Irish), Ottawa, ON; 10. Annie Kennedy (Kingston Panthers), Kingston, ON    ; 11. Taylour Hurd (Oakville Crusaders), Oakville, ON ; 12. Maddi Cohoon (Brantford Harlequins), Brantford, ON ; 13. Daniella Grant (Aurora Barbarians), Stouffville, ON  ; 14. Darcie Weir (Calgary Irish), Strathmore, AB; 15. Dawson German (Comox Valley Kickers), Courtenay, BC;

Replacements: 16. Sarah Klock (Abbotsford RFC), Abbotsford, BC ; 17. Sydney De La Mare (St. Albert RFC), St. Albert, AB; 18. Holly Phillips (Bow Valley Grizzlies), Canmore, AB; 19. Danika Elias (Abbotsford RFC), Chilliwack, BC; 20. Rylee Stone (Calgary Rams), Turner Valley, AB; 21. Taylor Black (Oakville Crusaders), Oakville, ON; 22. Sydney Smith (Valley Bulldogs), Middleton, NS  ; 23. Emilie Merilainen (Belleville Bulldogs), Batawa, ON; 24. Brooklynn Feasby (Oshawa Vikings), Port Perry, ON

The role and purpose of the TDG is to develop and prepare talented players for potential international progression as they move through the player pathway.

Previous alumni include 2014 World Cup winners Emily Scarratt, Kay Wilson, Natasha Hunt, Marlie Packer, Amber Reed, Vicky Fleetwood and Alex Mathews.

The 43 involved last week were selected from the Junior Academy Programme which is comprised of the Midlands, North, South East and South West Academies. Players are selected in to this group via nominations from their constituent body and a trial process.

England Women assistant coach Matt Ferguson delivered coaching during the week, which was also attended by Lead Coach Scott Bemand and U20 Coach Jo Yapp.

Of the current England U20 squad, 31 players have been previously involved in the TDG programme. Recent graduates who have gone on to win earn Senior England include Poppy Leitch, Lotte Clapp, Sydney Gregson and Rachel Lund

Huge thanks to Rugby Canada and Jenlink18 without whom coverage of these games would have been impossible.