Sasha selected for England U20s squad!

Many congratulations to Sasha on being named in the 2008/9 England U20 squad announced by the RFUW today (see here). Commiserations to Hayley who got through to the final selection phase but just missed out this season.

The 34 player squad includes 16 new players, with 18 returning from last season. The latter includes both of the Inside Centres - the position Hayley was trialing for - so it was a particularly tough call for Hayley this time round. However next season at least one (and possibly both) of the existing players will be moving out of the age band, so with the additional advantage of another season's experience behind her Hayley's chances should be all the greater. Certainly all the reports back from the trials indicate that she looked very capable of playing at this level.

Sasha's electrifying performance at the last trial makes her selection no great surprise, but it is still a heck of an achievement. Overlooked by the TDGs last season, a different style of selection (based more on team play than drills) allowed her to show the selectors what she can really do. However, its not all over yet because Sasha will now be competing against three other props who already have their U20 caps for a place in the team to face Wales in April and the squad for the Nations Cup in June.

Other familiar names breaking into the squad for the first time include Lizzell Heather (Kettering, selected as a wing), Natalie McClarnon (ex-Basford, now Saracens, hooker), and Megan Williams (Welwyn, full-back).