Plowman called up to England U21s

Exeter Chiefs prop Lilly Plowman has been called up to the England U21s squad to face Ireland.

In the second fixture of the 2026 Six Nations Women’s U21 Series, the 21-year-old Exeter University student will be hoping to make an impact from the bench as the squad heads to the Nick Newbold Stadium in Coventry.

Saturday’s fixture will mark her third U21s cap.

Exeter Chiefs Women’s head coach Steve Salvin said: “Lilly is a young prop with so much potential. A real product of the Exeter Chiefs’ pathway, she is born and bred in Exeter, attended Exeter College and is now at the university. She made her Chiefs debut this season while remaining an important part of the university side. She deserves this chance for the U21s.”

Gloucester Hartpury's Sophie McQueen resumes her role as captain for England’s first home fixture of the competition, having led her side to wins over Spain senior women and Scotland U21s this month.

Hayley Jones, Annabel Meta and Jodie Verghese return to the U21s fold and are rewarded with starts following on from training experience with John Mitchell’s Red Roses.

Fellow senior trainee and matchday one Player of the Match Carmela Morrall is named as a replacement.

Jemma Jo Linkins and Kaya Acton will earn their maiden U21s caps, with Millie Hyett and Tamsin Baynes also reintegrated into the starting XV.

Plowman, Lucy Simpson, Jasmine Adonri and Ashton Adcock have been added to the replacements bench, with Lauren Bailey in contention for her first cap.

England U21s conclude the series against France (KO 15:00) at Goldington Road on Sunday, 10 May, when Chiefs Women’s Zoë Dare should be available for selection.

Head coach LJ Lewis said: “We were pleased with a relentless performance away to Scotland, which reflected the development our group has committed to and the enjoyment they are taking from showing courage under pressure in key moments.

“Our mindset now is firmly on the next two-week block, building intensity in everything we do and continuing to strengthen our bond as a group while pushing performance standards.

“Ahead of an exciting two home games, I encourage our supporters to get behind this young squad, whose connection and energy in recent weeks has demonstrated their ambition to represent the Red Roses.”

Tickets to England’s Six Nations Women’s U21s Series home fixtures against Ireland and France are available now.

England U21s

15 Solana Shaw de Leon (Harlequins, Sutton and Epsom, 1 cap)
14 Grace White (Trailfinders Women, Winscombe RFC, 2 caps) *
13 Millie Hyett (Bristol Bears, Evesham RFC, 9 caps)
12 Molly Bunker (Gloucester Hartpury, Havant RFC, 3 caps)
11 Jemma-Jo Linkins (Saracens, Ashford RFC, uncapped)*
10 Ella Cromack (Harlequins, Reading RFC, 8 caps)
9 Amelia MacDougall (Saracens, Old Albanian RFC, 8 caps)
1 Annabel Meta (Trailfinders Women, Wimbledon RFC, 5 caps)
2 Hayley Jones (Trailfinders Women, Ealing Trailfinders, 1 cap)
3 Aisha Jah (Bristol Bears, Mansfield, 1 cap)
4 Jodie Verghese (Saracens, Thurrock RFC, 1 cap)*
5 Keevy Fitzpatrick (Loughborough Lightning, Sudbury RFC, 3 caps)
6 Tamsin Baynes (Loughborough Lightning, Market Harborough RFC, 1 cap)
7 Kaya Acton (Loughborough Lightning, Hull Ionians RFC, uncapped)
8 Sophie McQueen (c) (Gloucester Hartpury, Chippenham RFC, 4 caps)

Replacements:
16 Lucy Simpson (Gloucester Hartpury, Rams RFC, 3 caps)
17 Amelia Williams (Loughborough Lightning, Medway RFC, 11 caps)
18 Lilly Plowman (Exeter Chiefs, Crediton RFC, 2 caps)
19 Jasmine Adonri (Trailfinders Women, Dartford Valley Rugby Club, 3 caps)
20 Grace Keel (Harlequins, North Bristol, 1 cap)
21 Ashton Adcock (Loughborough Lightning, Tamworth, 1 cap)
22 Carmela Morrall (Loughborough Lightning, Dubai Hurricanes, 8 caps)
23 Lauren Bailey (Bristol Bears, Dings Crusaders, uncapped)