Latest news with #MillieDavid
The Independent
02-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
Red Roses unveil World Cup training squad as young guns given chance to impress
Young guns Millie David and Sarah Parry have been given an opportunity to stake a claim for Rugby World Cup selection after earning inclusion in the Red Roses training squad ahead of the tournament. The pair, who have both featured for England's Under 20s this year, are part of a 42-player group that assembled this week as John Mitchell 's side begin their preparations for their tilt at triumph on home soil. Wing David was one of the stars of the Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) season for Bristol Bears, impressing with her pace and serious finishing skill, while centre Parry has established herself in the Harlequins first team. There is no place in the squad for experienced forward Sarah Beckett, who did not add to her 35 caps in the Women's Six Nations, but lock Cath O'Donnell returns from a long-term injury lay-off to bolster Mitchell's back five options and could press for a first cap in nearly two years. Mackenzie Carson (ankle), Ellie Kildunne (hamstring), Claudia MacDonald (knee) and Abbie Ward (toe) will continue their rehabilitation from injuries in camp, with none thought to be doubts for the tournament, which begins on 22 August. "We know how important and exciting 2025 is for women's rugby in England,' Mitchell said. 'Today is the start of little wins where we will work hard into the tournament.' The 42-player squad will be cut to 32 ahead of the tournament, with head coach Mitchell intending to name 18 forwards and 14 backs. England will spend the next two weeks at London Irish's former training centre at Hazelwood, and will also spend time at the Lensbury in Teddington and the Pennyhill Park training base ahead of the World Cup. A warm-weather camp in Treviso will be followed by warm-up fixtures against Spain in Leicester and France in Mont de Marsan as preparations intensify before the opening fixture against the United States at Sunderland's Stadium of Light. England, favourites for the tournament having lost in the final of the last two editions, also face Samoa and Australia in Group A. Red Roses World Cup training squad Forwards Zoe Aldcroft Lark Atkin-Davies Sarah Bern Hannah Botterman Georgia Brock Abi Burton May Campbell Mackenzie Carson Kelsey Clifford Amy Cokayne Maddie Feaunati Rosie Galligan Lizzie Hanlon Lilli Ives Campion Sadia Kabeya Alex Matthews Maud Muir Cath O'Donnell Marlie Packer Simi Pam Connie Powell Morwenna Talling Abbie Ward Backs Holly Aitchison Jess Breach Millie David Abby Dow Zoe Harrison Tatyana Heard Natasha Hunt Megan Jones Ellie Kildunne Claudia MacDonald Lucy Packer Sarah Parry Flo Robinson Helena Rowland Emily Scarratt Jade Shekells Emma Sing Mia Venner Ella Wyrwas
Telegraph
03-03-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Millie David has chance to become Red Roses' World Cup bolter
Millie David, the Bristol Bears teen sensation who has lit up Premiership Women's Rugby this season with her try-scoring exploits, has been included in England's wider training camp ahead of the Six Nations. At 19, David is yet to age out of the Red Roses under-20s but has received her first senior call up to John Mitchell's squad after a season in which she has turned heads with her terrific form. The winger scored a sublime try – her 17th of the season – in her side's PWR semi-final defeat by Gloucester-Hartpury on Sunday, finishing acrobatically in the corner which head coach Dave Ward hailed as 'the best finish I've seen in either men's or women's rugby.' 🤯 STOP what you're doing and watch this unbelievable finish from @BristolBearsW 's Millie David! #GLOvBRI | #PWR — Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) March 2, 2025 David will link up with a 42-player training Red Roses group in Bristol on Monday for a four-day camp ahead of the upcoming Women's Six Nations, which begins on March 22. Mitchell's side would usually be based at Pennyhill Park, but that facility is still being used by Steve Borthwick's men, who continue their own campaign when they host Italy at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday. 'The objective of this camp is to become organised and get better as a Red Rose ahead of the Six Nations, bearing in mind we will be without the PWR finalists next week,' said Mitchell, who will name his official squad for the championship on March 17. 'We are expecting an excited energy in reconnecting again and focusing on the opportunity that this special tournament presents for us.' Leicester Tigers lock Charlotte Fray, Great Britain sevens player Jade Shekells and Harlequins utility back Sarah Parry are the other three players to receive their first call-ups to the senior women's side, with Mitchell also appointing Nathan Catt as defence coach as maternity cover for Sarah Hunter. Gloucester-Hartpury and Saracens players who will be involved in the PWR final on March 16 will not be available for a third Red Roses camp next week and, if selected, will join up again with the team to prepare for the opening round against Italy on March 23 in York. Sky is the limit for Bristol teenager It was a matter of when, not if, Millie David would be called up to England's senior squad. The teenager has been the outstanding performer in the English women's top flight this season, dazzling the league with her dynamism, raw pace and footwork. Her mesmeric finish in the corner during her side's semi-final loss to Gloucester-Hartpury at the weekend – showcasing her innate strength to wrestle the ball over the whitewash – was a snapshot of the stardust she can provide. For this youngster the sky really is the limit and you'd put money on her being a bolter for Mitchell's World Cup squad later this year. Curiously, it is uncommon for a player so young to be called up to a senior women's international side. Not so long ago in the amateur era, it might have been more common to see a raw player like David featured on the team sheet, but the advent of professionalism and evolved player pathways has made this increasingly uncommon. Back-three players in the women's game are also getting bigger and pack more punch physically than in previous years, as demonstrated by Ilona Maher's stint for Bristol Bears on the wing. Again, this is because players are able to devote themselves to a full-time programme which includes increased gym, personalised nutrition and adequate recovery. 'I think John Mitchell spoke to her a few weeks ago with a throwaway comment and she didn't really hear anything from England since and then all of a sudden she's chucked into the WhatsApp group,' said Dave Ward, the Bristol Bears head coach. 'She's excited, she's pumped and whether she gets an opportunity or not, the experience for her will be brilliant. She's every coach's dream. She's a player who wants to get better and learn but she goes away and works on things and comes back a better player.'
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bristol wing David among England camp call-ups
Millie David, Charlotte Fray, Jade Shekells and Sarah Parry have all been called into the England training squad for the first time before the Women's Six Nations. Forty-two players have been named, however only 24 women will be available to attend all training camps before the tournament starts. Eighteen of the named players are from Gloucester-Hartpury and Saracens Women, and will later return to their clubs to prepare for the PWR final on Sunday, 16 March. England open the Six Nations at home to Italy in York, on Sunday, 23 March. The seven-day turnaround from league conclusion to the Six Nations start was agreed to accommodate the England players' requirement of an enforced rest period before training starts for their home Rugby World Cup this summer. England also confirmed that Nathan Catt will lead on defence as maternity cover for Sarah Hunter. Red Roses head coach Mitchell said: "Our coaching group remains stronger than ever with the inclusion of Nathan, who has been an exceptional addition from the pathway. "Sarah is an extremely valued member of the Red Roses. Her (current) focus is on being a mum and we're looking forward to seeing her soon. "The objective of this camp is to become organised and get better as a Red Rose ahead of the Six Nations, bearing in mind we will be without the PWR finalists next week. "We are expecting an excited energy in reconnecting again and focusing on the opportunity that this special tournament presents for us." Bristol wing David will get an opportunity to stake a claim for a Red Roses shirt after she was a shock omission from an England training camp in January. Great Britain Sevens player Shekells is also called into the squad. The 2024 Paris Olympian recently played for GB at the Vancouver leg of the World Sevens Series in February but has impressed in a handful of games for Gloucester-Hartpury at outside centre. Leicester Tigers' second row Fray is also called in, as is Harlequins 19-year-old centre Parry. Saracens scrum-half Ella Wyrwas returns to the squad having missed an earlier January camp. England rugby league convert Fran Goldthorp and Bristol wing Reneeqa Bonner are dropped from the squad after an initial call-ups in January. Forwards Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury), Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears), Sarah Beckett (Gloucester-Hartpury), Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears), Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears), Georgia Brock (Gloucester-Hartpury), Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women), May Campbell (Saracens), Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury), Kelsey Clifford (Saracens), Amy Cokayne (Leicester Tigers), Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs), Charlotte Fray (Leicester Tigers), Rosie Galligan (Saracens), Lizzie Hanlon (Harlequins), Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning), Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning), Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury), Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury), Marlie Packer (Saracens), Connie Powell (Harlequins), Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks), Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears) Backs Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears), Jess Breach (Saracens), Millie David (Bristol Bears), Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women), Zoe Harrison (Saracens), Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury), Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury), Megan Jones (Leicester Tigers), Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins), Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs), Lucy Packer (Harlequins), Sarah Parry (Harlequins), Flo Robinson (Exeter Chiefs), Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning), Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning), Jade Shekells (Gloucester-Hartpury), Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury), Mia Venner (Gloucester-Hartpury), Ella Wyrwas (Saracens)
BBC News
03-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Bristol wing David among England camp call-ups
Millie David, Charlotte Fray, Jade Shekells and Sarah Parry have all been called into the England training squad for the first time before the Women's Six players have been named, however only 24 women will be available to attend all training camps before the tournament of the named players are from Gloucester-Hartpury and Saracens Women, and will later return to their clubs to prepare for the PWR final on Sunday, 16 open the Six Nations at home to Italy in York, on Sunday, 23 seven-day turnaround from league conclusion to the Six Nations start was agreed to accommodate the England players' requirement of an enforced rest period before training starts for their home Rugby World Cup this also confirmed that Nathan Catt will lead on defence as maternity cover for Sarah Roses head coach Mitchell said: "Our coaching group remains stronger than ever with the inclusion of Nathan, who has been an exceptional addition from the pathway."Sarah is an extremely valued member of the Red Roses. Her (current) focus is on being a mum and we're looking forward to seeing her soon."The objective of this camp is to become organised and get better as a Red Rose ahead of the Six Nations, bearing in mind we will be without the PWR finalists next week."We are expecting an excited energy in reconnecting again and focusing on the opportunity that this special tournament presents for us."Bristol wing David will get an opportunity to stake a claim for a Red Roses shirt after she was a shock omission from an England training camp in Britain Sevens player Shekells is also called into the squad. The 2024 Paris Olympian recently played for GB at the Vancouver leg of the World Sevens Series in February but has impressed in a handful of games for Gloucester-Hartpury at outside Tigers' second row Fray is also called in, as is Harlequins 19-year-old centre scrum-half Ella Wyrwas returns to the squad having missed an earlier January rugby league convert Fran Goldthorp and Bristol wing Reneeqa Bonner are dropped from the squad after an initial call-ups in January. England squad for pre-Six Nations training camp ForwardsZoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury), Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears), Sarah Beckett (Gloucester-Hartpury), Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears), Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears), Georgia Brock (Gloucester-Hartpury), Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women), May Campbell (Saracens), Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury), Kelsey Clifford (Saracens), Amy Cokayne (Leicester Tigers), Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs), Charlotte Fray (Leicester Tigers), Rosie Galligan (Saracens), Lizzie Hanlon (Harlequins), Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning), Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning), Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury), Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury), Marlie Packer (Saracens), Connie Powell (Harlequins), Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks), Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears)BacksHolly Aitchison (Bristol Bears), Jess Breach (Saracens), Millie David (Bristol Bears), Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women), Zoe Harrison (Saracens), Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury), Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury), Megan Jones (Leicester Tigers), Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins), Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs), Lucy Packer (Harlequins), Sarah Parry (Harlequins), Flo Robinson (Exeter Chiefs), Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning), Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning), Jade Shekells (Gloucester-Hartpury), Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury), Mia Venner (Gloucester-Hartpury), Ella Wyrwas (Saracens)
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gloucester-Hartpury set up PWR final against Saracens as hunt for three-peat continues
Gloucester-Hartpury continued their hunt for a Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) three-peat as the defending champions overcame the Bristol Bears at Queensholm. The defending champions set up a clash with Saracens in a fortnight at the StoneX Stadium after surviving a physical encounter with their local rivals. Having fallen behind in the first half, Bristol, seeking revenge for final defeat last year, threatened a comeback repeatedly after the interval, with American superstar Ilona Maher crossing in the corner before young gun Millie David, set to be named in England's Six Nations squad, produced a remarkable finish on the other wing. But Wales captain Hannah Jones carved the Bears open to ensure the hosts kept their opponents at arm's length, while Emma Sing, the league's top points scorer and perhaps its player of the season, slotted a late penalty to make certain of a 36-20 victory. Gloucester-Hartpury will now take on Saracens on enemy territory on Sunday 16 March as they seek a third consecutive competition crown and a winning send-off for coach Sean Lynn, who will take up his role as Wales boss for the Women's Six Nations. A crowd of 6,702 watched an encounter that delivered on promised spite and spice, with two star-studded sides throwing plenty at one another. With Red Roses captain Zoe Aldcroft and No 8 Alex Matthews prominent in their pack, Gloucester-Hartpury surged into the lead having initially fallen behind to the first of Lark Atkin-Davies's two scores. Tries from El Perry, Sarah Beckett and Sing ensured the hosts had a half-time advantage that they never felt likely to relinquish, with the full-back's accuracy from the tee proving key. Saracens await after Alex Austerberry's side beat Harlequins in a London derby in the first semi-final on Saturday, with Jess Breach producing a sensational solo score against her former side. The PWR finalists will not feature in England's Women's Six Nations opener against Italy a week later, with John Mitchell forced to pick from his wider squad. It will leave the England coach in need of a new captain, with both Aldcroft and predecessor Marlie Packer, skipper of the side last year, featuring in the final. Meg Jones, the Leicester centre and Packer's fellow vice captain, would appear a strong candidate. A squad for a training camp in Bristol will be named on Monday.
