Captain Sarah Hunter is naturally part of the squad, as is her fellow alumna Justine Lucas, who joined Lightning at the start of the season. Another new recruit Katy Daly-Mclean also gets the call, having been a mainstay for the Red Roses and for Lightning during their unbeaten start to the Tyrrell’s Premier 15s season.
Current student Cath O’Donnell is also on the list, the second row already with four caps to her name having progressed through the u20 ranks. Currently studying for a Masters in Work Psychology, O’Donnell will be hoping to do enough to earn a call up to Simon Middleton’s squad for the autumn internationals.
Of the selections, Lightning Head Coach Rhys Edwards commented:
“It’s great to see so many Loughborough Lightning players involved in the camp, especially some of the new faces who’ve progressed to this stage. Carys Williams in particular is someone who epitomises what can be achieved when you come into a good environment and work hard; she’s somebody who over the last 12 months has grown hugely into the role of 13 in terms of her physicality and understanding of the game, and I think she’s been one of the standout players in league in the first four games.
“That is supported by the likes of Sarah and Katy who have bags of experience - having those two as part of our programme is invaluable.”
Loughborough Lightning players:
Jo Brown
Sarah Hunter
Justine Lucas
Catherine O’Donnell
Katy Daly-Mclean
Charlotte Pearce
Carys Williams
Ahead of the Quilter Internationals in November, a final England squad will be named on 18 October before the first Test against USA at Allianz Park on Friday 9 November.
The Red Roses then travel to Doncaster at Castle Park on Sunday 18 November before heading to Twickenham Stadium where they play Ireland on Saturday 24 November following the conclusion of the men’s game.
The full England squad can be found here