England Women U18 Talent Development Group (TDG) will face emerging Wales Women in a friendly fixture at the Principality Stadium, on Wednesday 18 April 2018 at 6.30pm.

25 players who have been involved in the U18 Talent Development Group though out the season, an important part of the England Women’s performance pathway which identifies and supports young emerging talent at U18 level, have been selected for the Wednesday evening fixture.

Lead coach and RFU Women's Performance Pathway Officer Alex Austerberry, said: “The opportunity to play against the emerging Wales Women side is an exciting one for this age group. It’s imperative that we continue to create quality playing opportunities for emerging talent as they develop.

“For the TDG to play a fixture at the Principality, one of the biggest stadiums in the UK, is an invaluable learning opportunity that will bring new challenges for this group as they come together for their first fixture as a playing squad this season.”

The TDG works closely with regional constituent bodies and the Centres of Excellence from August to May each season. The RFU performance pathway team identifies emerging talent, inviting players to take part in intensive training camps where they are assessed not only by on-field performance but also on leadership, organisation and problem-solving skill and ability.

The TDG evolves throughout the year enabling new players, who may not have originally been identified at the start of the season, but have been performing consistently well to be invited into the programme. The TDG runs a series of contact days throughout the season to provide ongoing training and support for selected players. This year contact days more than doubled to 28 days across the season.

England Women U18 Talent Development Group squad to play Wales:

1 Detysha Harper (Waterloo), 2 Connie Powell (Gloucester-Hartpury Womens RFC), 3 Jessica Thomas (Bristol Ladies), 4 Louisa Ward (Pulborough), 5 Iona Antwis (Winscombe), 6 Jasmine Hazell (Castleford), 7 Bronwen Jackson-Turner (Saracens Women), 8 Ebony Jefferies (Bristol Ladies); 9 Jessica Weaver (Newark), 10 Ellie Green (Harlequins Ladies), 11 Merryn Doidge (Bristol Ladies), 12 Cara Wardle (Saracens Women), 13 Megan Varley (Worcester Valkyries), 14 Jodie Ounsley (Sandal), 15 Jessica Cooksey (Winscombe).
16 Ellie Pigford (Hordon and Peterlee), 17 Bryony Field (West Park Leeds), 18 Florence Long (Winscombe), 19 Teya Ashworth (Aylsford Bulls), 20 Anya Richmond (Burnley), 21 Poppy Wheway (Basingstoke), 22 Eloise Hayward (Worcester Valkyries), 23 Lauren Fisher (Pulborough), 24 Kayleigh Waller (Loughborough), 25 Emma Sing (Crediton).