Sams named in England U20s women's training camp squad

Exeter Chiefs Women's Hannah Sams has been named in the England U20s training camp squad 

Head coach LJ Lewis has named her 33-player squad for this week’s training camp at Loughborough University.

The Women’s Pathway side convene in the Midlands following on from a 50-17 loss in Marcoussis to Springbok Senior Women in April.

Lewis will be supported by fellow pathway staff Sarah McKenna (U20s women's assistant coach), Benny Williams (PDG lead), James Cooper (U18 Women head coach), Oli Perry (U18s women's assistant coach) and Sarah Hunter (Red Roses defence and transition coach).

Uncapped Molly Luthayi (Loughborough Lightning) is invited into train with the squad having won two U18 caps previously in 2022. The U23 centre has 13 BUCS National League appearances for Loughborough University this season, as well as her 10th outing for Lightning in the 2024/25 PWR Up Series in September.

Luthayi’s Lightning teammate and transitional Red Rose Grace Clifford makes her anticipated return from injury and returns to the U20s fold alongside forwards Joia Bennett (Saracens) and Hannah Sams (Exeter Chiefs).

Sams said: "I am really excited to return to camp. I did not get the chance to play as much rugby as I would have like last season due to injury but enjoyed my first season with Exeter University and hope to contribute more next season. England U20s camp will give me the chance to get stuck in again to prepare for the international summer ahead."

England U20s Women travel to Bisham Abbey next week (Wednesday 28 – Friday 30) before returning Monday 9 June for a four-day camp in Berkshire in preparation for this July’s Six Nations Women’s Summer Series.

Exeter Chiefs Women's interim head coach Steve Salvin said: "Hannah had a frustrating 2025/25 season with injury but there is no doubt she is a quality player and a precious commodity as an English front row, along with Lily Plowman, who is also part of our pathway at the University. I am glad they have this opportunity with England U20s and wish them well for the upcoming Six Nations Women’s Summer Series in July."

Lewis said: “Our game against South Africa was a fantastic learning opportunity for our players in regard to physicality and courage ahead of a busy summer. Some players were exposed to a senior international environment for the first time; those experiences will be invaluable for their development.

“It’s exciting to welcome Molly [Luthayi], Grace [Clifford], Joia [Bennett] and Hannah [Sams] into the team. With their experience in the pathway, their role of reinforcing winning moments will be crucial.

“This is our first opportunity to put our learnings into practice since Marcoussis, and our camps in the coming weeks will aim to reinforce our game principles. We want to challenge the players on how we can play faster using the framework, playing to best space and having winning moments with and without the ball alongside continued bonding as a team and showing courage in our on and off field behaviours.”

England U20s women’s Loughborough camp squad

Forwards

Jasmine Adonri (Trailfinders Women, Dartford Valley Rugby Club, uncapped)

Iley Bailey (Harlequins, Farnham RFC, uncapped)

Joia Bennett (Saracens, Old Albanian RFC, 6 caps)

Lucy Calladine (c) (Loughborough Lightning, Burton Rugby Football Club, 6 caps)

Grace Clifford (Loughborough Lightning, Horsham Rugby Club, 3 caps)

Lucy Finch (Loughborough Lightning, Newbury RFC, uncapped)

Keevy Fitzpatrick (Loughborough Lightning, Sudbury RFC, uncapped)

Zara Green (Harlequins, Lewes RFC, uncapped)

Amelia Hyndman (Sale Sharks, Bishop Auckland RUFC, 2 caps)

Haineala Lutui (Loughborough Lightning, Worcester RFC, uncapped)

Sophie McQueen (Gloucester-Hartpury, Chippenham RFC, uncapped)

Annabel Meta (Trailfinders Women, Wimbledon RFC, 3 caps)

Maddy Page (Harlequins, Buckingham RFC, uncapped)

Lilly Plowman (Exeter Chiefs, Crediton RFC, uncapped)

Hannah Sams (Exeter Chiefs, Ivybridge RFC, 5 caps)

Lucy Simpson (Gloucester-Hartpury, Rams RFC, uncapped)

Alisha Smith (Gloucester-Hartpury, Drybrook RFC, uncapped)

Ellie Smith (Leicester Tigers, Barton under Needwood RFC, uncapped)

Amelia Williams (Loughborough Lightning, Medway RFC, 7 caps)

Backs

Daisy Aspinall (Gloucester-Hartpury, Stafford RFC, uncapped)

Molly Bunker (Gloucester-Hartpury, Havant RFC, uncapped)

Ella Cromack (Harlequins, Reading RFC, 4 caps)

Jess Doyle (Bath University, Northern Football Club, uncapped)

Natalee Evans (Bristol Bears, Shrewsbury RFC, uncapped)

Lia Green (Loughborough Lightning, Winscombe RFC, 6 caps)

Sophie Hopkins (Sale Sharks, Fullerians RFC, 4 caps)

Millie Hyett (Gloucester-Hartpury, Evesham RFC, 6 caps)

Poppy Love (Trailfinders Women, Grasshoppers RFC, uncapped)

Molly Luthayi (Loughborough Lightning, Kettering Rugby, uncapped)

Carmela Morrall (Loughborough Lightning, Dubai Hurricanes, 5 caps)

Sarah Parry (Harlequins, Newtown Rugby Club, uncapped)

Abigail Pritchard (Gloucester-Hartpury, Medway RFC, uncapped)

Eva Wood (Sale Sharks, Old Halesonians RFC, uncapped)