Women’s National Team Director, Phil Collier, has named the two senior England Teams selected to play at Home Internationals this year and gave his thoughts ahead of next month’s event.
“The two teams reflect the quality and strength in depth we currently have in the National Senior Squad,” Collier said.
“After seven months of training together, and our recent tour to the USA, there’s real competition for a place in the A team at every position. It’s tough to get in the first team, and we’ve had some very difficult decisions to make”.
The A team is packed with experience including 10 bronze medal winners from the 2017 World Cup, and four that have come through from the 2015 U19s World Championship squad.
The team will be led by Captains Annie Hillier, Laura Merrifield, and Jenny Simpson. Three exciting new players to look out for are Alex Drewe, Tilly Shires and Tilly Foster.
“We’re also very pleased with the quality and potential of the players on our B team this year. This is effectively an England U23 team, with an average age of just 21 across the squad.
The young side is comprised of five players with 2015 U19 WC bronze medals, and 12 currently playing for University teams in BUCS.
”One new face to look out for here is Emma Brown, a very promising defender from Durham University, who’s only been with us in the senior squad since January,” added Collier.
The B team will be led by Captains: Ellie Hillier, Katie Lehovsky and Nancy Day.
Looking ahead, Collier also pointed out that the Home Internationals will be key in making the final selections for this summer’s European Championship squad.
“We’ll be making our final team selection that will go to Israel after the Home International Tournament so these games offer a great opportunity for the players on both teams to put in good personal performances and make a case for themselves to be in that team.
“We’ll be asking - Who is showing quality and consistency of performance? Which players make the other players around them better? Who has got the X factor to add that something extra to the team?”
“I think the move to 10-a-side really suits our style of play, opening up more space and speeding up the game. I want to see the England players enjoying their lacrosse, working together, playing with their mates and with a smile on their face, because I think that’s when we play at our best. Mightier yet!
“Contests against our traditional rivals are always passionate affairs. We’re well aware that in “derby” games like these, form can sometimes go out of the window and we know that we’ll have to work hard to win the early battles, earning the right to play our game and our style.
“Scotland have made excellent progress over recent years, and will be well prepared for their game against the ‘Auld Enemy’.
”Wales appeared to be going through a period of transition at the time of last year’s Home Internationals, it will be interesting to see how their team has developed since then and our opening game is against Germany, where the sport of lacrosse has really taken root over recent years so we look forward to welcoming them to Aldershot.”
“We’ve been training at the venue for a few months now, so I’m looking forward to enjoying our home advantage in front of hopefully plenty of home fans to cheer us all on”.
Home Internationals is taking place at the Aldershot Garrison Sports Complex between 5-7 April.
On Saturday 6 April, following the England v Wales game there will be a small reception held, which has an open invite for all former England Women’s players, held in partnership with the 1st Home network.
England Senior A Team
GK
Lucy Grant
Katie Greenwood
Defence
Emma Adams
Chloe Chan
Annie Hillier
Emma Oakley
Midfield
Claire Faram
Anna Featherstone
Tilly Foster
Camilla Hayes
Lucy Lynch
Laura Merrifield
Tilly Shires
Liv Wimpenny
Attack
Torz Anderson
Alex Drewe
Kirsten Lafferty
Jenny Simpson
Senior A Schedule
Friday 5 April - 11.00am v Germany
Saturday 6 April 3.00pm v Wales
Sunday 7 April 11.00am v Scotland
England Senior B Team
GK
Emilie Chandler
Katie Jackson
Defence
Emma Brown
Ellie Hillier
Freya Savage
Zoe Thursz
Midfield
Laura Beaman
Hannah Bray
India Chadwick
Antonia Hudson
Katie Lehovksy
Amelia Miller
Philly Stacey
Eliza Watson
Attack
Nancy Day
Sophie Tamblyn
Julie Wise
Chloe Wyner
Senior B Schedule
Friday 5 April 12 Noon v Scotland
Sunday 7 April 9.30am v Wales
View the full 2019 Home International Series Schedule HERE