The England Women's squad to compete in next month's Under 20s Nations Cup has today been announced.

England head into the tournament hoping to secure a second successive crown after winning the inaugural title in Canada a year ago.

England will take on Wales, the USA and Canada. The reigning Nations Cup champions will have home advantage on their side with the tournament being staged at Brunel University from July 9th - 18th.

The USA are new entrants to the tournament this year and they will open their championship campaign against Wales on July 9th. England, meanwhile, will take on Canada, a side they defeated twice last season, on the same day.

England U20s Head Coach Giselle Mather said: "This is an important opportunity for us to defend our title. Last year the standard of the Nations Cup was very high and we know we must raise the bar again. However, with this being a brand new group of under 20s players it's a new challenge and we have to work very hard.

"It's going to be a very fierce and physical competition and it's a very punishing schedule with a game every three days. It's going to tough for us but every team is in this same situation.

"Marlie Packer is our squad captain. She's a very passionate player and I am sure she will lead from the front. She got a lot of responsibility this year but I know she'll do an excellent job. Other players to watch out for are Lizell Heather and Harriet Mills who were new to the squad this year. They both had a great game against Wales earlier this year so I am expecting them to make a real impact in the Nations Cup."

England U20s Nations Cup Squad

Sasha Acheson Sudbury RFC
Samantha Bree Worcester RFC
Alex Cook Bath RFC
Victoria Cornborough Richmond RFC
Kimberley Davey Richmond RFC
Hannah Field Reading RFC
Victoria Fleetwood Lichfield RFC
Jessie-Joy Flowers West Park RFC
Rose Fong Darlington Mowden Park Sharks RFC
Claire Garner Leeds Leos RFC
Sarah Graham Bath RFC
Lizell Heather Kettering RFC
Nicola Hoole Bath RFC
Natasha Hunt Bath RFC
Garnet MacKinder Exeter Saracens RFC
Charlotte Male Plymouth Albion RFC
Sarah McKenna Old Albanian Saints RFC
Amy Miller Reading RFC
Harriet Mills Manchester RFC
Davinia Monterio Bath RFC
Marlie Packer Bath RFC Captain
Elizabeth Peak Oakmedians RFC
Gemma Rowland Exeter University RFC
Juliet Short Darlington Mowden Park Sharks RFC
Hannah Walker-Smart Paviors RFC
Charlotte Wild Leeds Met Uni

Head Coach Giselle Mather
Assistant Coach Martin Hynes

Under 20s Nations Cup playing schedule:

July 9th
Wales vs. USA 5pm
Canada vs. England 7pm

July 12th

Canada vs. Wales, 130pm
England vs. USA, 330pm

July 15th
Canada vs. USA, 5pm
England vs. Wales, 7pm

July 18th

Consolation Finals, 130pm
Final, 330pm