Dare, Flutey and Plowman called into England U21s training squad

Exeter Chiefs Women’s trio of Zoë Dare, Maddie Flutey and Lilly Plowman have been named in England’s new U21s squad.

Selected by head coach LJ Lewis and assistant coach Sarah McKenna, the first England U21s Women’s training squad of the season has assembled in the East Midlands today for a three-day camp.

As of the 2025/26 campaign, Lewis’s side will now operate as an U21s age-grade with the ability to call in up to five U23s players. The move is to enable a longer opportunity to support the development of more U18s graduates and a general wider player pool entering their adult rugby journey in an international environment.

Lewis and McKenna will be supported by Red Roses coaches Louis Deacon, Sarah Hunter and Andy Holloway, alongside Emily Scarratt and U18s coaches James Cooper, Ollie Perry and Benny Williams.

Lewis said: “We’re incredibly excited to be moving into a new chapter for the women’s pathway as we take inspiration from the Red Roses winning the World Cup. Sarah [McKenna] and I are looking forward to seeing which players demonstrate leadership and courage, putting their hands up to become a potential future Red Rose and work towards retaining the next Rugby World Cup.

“This camp will align our pathway framework, professional behaviours and standards with a talented group, which includes some exciting additions from inside the pathway and BUCS Super Rugby.

“Within this framework, we’re aiming to play at speed with world-class skills to attack best space, maintain a ruthless mentality to get the ball back in defence and form a solid basis for a dominant set-piece.

“We strive to continue to develop players’ physicality by creating as many winning moments as possible, with or without the ball, underpinned by the players’ athletic ability to consistently showcasing the game of the future.”

Steve Salvin, Exeter Chiefs Women’s head coach, said: “We are delighted to see Lilly, Maddie and Zoë among the England U21s squad.

“Maddie has made the most of her time with us in the UK and has clearly caught the eyes of the selectors.

“Meanwhile, Lilly has already played for England U20s and continues her journey from Crediton RFC to Exeter College and Exeter University to Chiefs and now England U21s. She is a shining example of pathway success.

“I am also pleased to see Zoë Dare called up. Another Devon player, formerly of Cullompton RFC, she has been a near ever-present in our match-day 23 this season so deserves to be recognised for her hard work.”

England U21s Women