Kerslake and Hall to start for England U18s

Exeter College’s No 8 Honey Kerslake will co-captain England U18s in their last 2026 Under-18 Women’s Six Nations Festival match against France.

Kerslake will start the game along with Beth Hall at fly-half. Fellow Exeter College Rugby Academy students Rose Powell Williams, Lucie Sams and Rowan Turney will be waiting for their chance from the bench as this Six Nations campaign concludes at Wellington College this Friday (KO 16:30 BST).

This young England side recorded their first win of the tournament against Scotland on Monday.

Head coach James Cooper said: “We’ve seen a real step forward from the group since that opening loss, particularly in their courage and bravery in defence, where the intent and physicality are reaching the levels expected.

“The leadership shown by these young players to respond in the way they have, especially with some tough results in the mix, has been really encouraging and speaks volumes about their character.

“As we head into this final game against a top France side, we know our decision making and execution needs to be sharper. That’s an exciting area for growth and one we’re confident this group will continue to improve.”

England U18s

15 Jemima Mitchell (Maggie Alphonsi PDG, Oaklands, 3 caps)
14 Lily Pereira dos Santos (Maggie Alphonsi PDG, Oaklands, 8 caps)
13 Meghan Crilly (cc) (Becky Essex PDG, Loughborough, 3 caps) (cc)
12 Rosalyn Civil (Jo Yapp PDG, Hartpury, 3 caps)
11 Alice Fleming (Jo Yapp PDG, Hartpury, 4 caps)
10 Beth Hall (Nolli Waterman PDG, Exeter, 3 caps)
9 Summer Smith (Maggie Alphonsi PDG, City of Oxford, 3 caps)
1 Isabella Lyndon (Jo Yapp PDG, Hartpury, 3 caps)
2 Mali Hill (Jo Yapp PDG, Hartpury, 3 caps)
3 Lotte Peirsegaele (Emma Mitchell PDG, City of Oxford, 2 cap)
4 Holly Bagnowiec (Jo Yapp PDG, Hartpury, 3 caps)
5 Leila Crick (Maggie Alphonsi PDG, Oaklands, 3 caps)
6 Hannah Foley (Maggie Alphonsi PDG, City of Oxford, 3 caps)
7 Evie Collingbourne (Rachael Burford PDG, Worthing, 3 caps)
8 Honey Kerslake (cc) (Nolli Waterman PDG, Exeter, 5 caps) (cc)

Replacements:
16 Maisie Trotman (Emma Mitchell PDG, Worthing, 3 caps)
17 Lucie Sams (Nolli Waterman PDG, Exeter, 3 caps)
18 Eva Larkai (Rachael Burford PDG, Worthing, 3 caps)
19 Amelia Rockley (Maggie Alphonsi PDG, 3 caps)
20 Rowan Turney (Rachael Burford PDG, Exeter, 3 caps)
21 Christal Koroiyadi (Becky Essex PDG, Loughborough, 3 caps)
22 Alix Ahad (Maggie Alphonsi PDG, Oaklands, 3 caps)
23 Martha Hallam (Karen Almond PDG, Loughborough, 3 caps)
24 Rose Powell Williams (Nolli Waterman PDG, Exeter, 1 cap)
25 Millie Walker (Becky Essex PDG, Loughborough, 3 caps)
26 Zara Barringer (Maggie Alphonsi PDG, Hartpury, uncapped)