England Women name four University of Bath students in match-day squad to face France
University of Bath sporting scholar Sydney Gregson has been named in the England Women U20 starting XV for Saturday’s rugby international against France.
The Sport Performance student, who is supported by a Trendell Sports Scholarship, will start at full-back for the match at Esher RFC (2pm).
Three of Gregson’s University of Bath team-mates are on the bench for England – Jessie Hood, Chantelle Miell and Lottie Holland.
All four, who play their club rugby for Bristol RFC, are supported by the Sport England Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) and the University’s Dual Career programme.
England go into this weekend on the back of a five-try 41-12 win over the Army and coach Jake Yapp is looking for them to build on that performance having lost twice to France last year.
“We have a strong squad of 23 players who will all have an impact on the game,” he said.
“It was great to get the win under our belt two weeks ago against the Army but that was as much about the performance as the fact we won, as I was impressed by the way the girls performed that day.
“Like last year we expect tough competition from the French. This is a development side and we are looking forward to seeing how the players step up to the challenge and cope with the pressure.”
Saturday will mark the first of two games against France this month, with the second away at Chantilly RFC on Saturday, March 19.
Tickets for Saturday’s match are available via EsherRugby.com.
Meanwhile, University of Bath graduate Amy Wilson Hardy will have another chance to stake her claim for a Rio 2016 Olympic Games place after being named in the British Women’s Sevens squad for next week’s Vancouver Rugby Festival in Canada.
Wilson Hardy, who studied Engineering, will meet up with the squad after this week’s USA Sevens Invitational Tournament in Las Vegas.
University of Bath Rugby tweeted the picture at the top of the page of England Women U20 internationals Jessie Hood, Lottie Holland and Chantelle Miell
