Lilli Ives Campion is in-line to make her senior international debut after being named in the Red Roses’ matchday squad to face France at Kingsholm Stadium this weekend.
The 20-year-old second row has named among the replacements for Saturday’s encounter (kick-off: 2.30pm), having been involved in camp with England for five weeks building up to the clashes with Les Bleues and New Zealand on Saturday 14 September at Twickenham Stadium – and the WXV tournament in Canada that follows later this month.
Ives Campion made her Lightning debut in April 2021 and has made 50 appearances for the African Violets, as well as captaining England Under-20s earlier this year. She is joined on the bench by clubmate Emily Scarratt, who is set to move to 112 Red Roses appearances.
Lightning’s sole representative in the run-out side is Helena Rowland, who is selected at outside centre on the occasion of her 30th senior outing for her country.
Injuries to Sadia Kabeya and Cath O’Donnell sadly prevented their participation in the Red Roses’ upcoming fixtures, while winger Bo Westcombe-Evans – who has been in camp with England throughout this summer – returns to Lightning this week.
“We’re excited to get started after the girls being outstanding in raising their standards and growing their resilience in pre-season,” said head coach John Mitchell said.
“The girls just want to play, and we have chosen to host world class opponents for us to be challenged and to improve our game heading into WXV and an exciting 2025.”
RED ROSES TEAM TO PLAY FRANCE
Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester
Saturday 7 September (kick-off 2.30pm)
15 Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 43 caps)
14 Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women, 45 caps)
13 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 29 caps)
12 Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 22 caps)
11 Jess Breach (Saracens, 38 caps)
10 Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 30 caps)
9 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 72 caps)
1 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 47 caps)
2 Amy Cokayne (Leicester Tigers, 74 caps)
3 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 30 caps)
4 Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 53 caps)
5 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 13 caps)
6 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 5 caps)
7 Marlie Packer (Saracens, 104 caps) – captain
8 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 67 caps)
Replacements
16 Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 57 caps)
17 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 15 caps)
18 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 61 caps)
19 Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning, uncapped)
20 Poppy Cleall (Saracens, 65 caps)
21 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 21 caps)
22 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 49 caps)
23 Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 111 caps)
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