Lancashire Rugby

Overview

This season has been a strong reflection of the developing talent and depth within the Lancashire Girls U18 programme. With excellent engagement from clubs across the county and solid performances throughout. The squad demonstrated impressive progress, commitment and teamwork. Furthermore the dedicated coaching and management team have added stability and strength to the U18 Girls section.

Coaching and Management Structure:

• Head of Women & Girls Rugby – Kate Bennetta
• Head Coach – Sean Phillips
• Team Manager – Justine Thatcher
• Coach – Rhianne Boag
• Coach – Neil Fallon
• Coach – Adam Williamson
• Coach – Grace Doodson
• Coach – Amelia Stapley

Player Nominations

• Total nominations received: 58
• Number of clubs submitting nominations: 18

The high volume of nominations illustrates strong grassroots development and continued dedication from community clubs supporting female rugby across Lancashire. This is the highest number of clubs engaging with the Lancashire U18 player nominations in recent years.

Squad Selection

• Final squad selected: 37 players
• Number of clubs represented in the squad: 12

The squad highlights a broad talent pool and balanced representation across the county’s clubs. Coaches recognised players not only for technical ability but also for attitude, development potential and alignment TREDS.

Match Programme

The team participated in a competive four-match programme against neighbouring counties:

Fixtures

• Cheshire (away) WIN
• Northumberland (away) WIN
• Durham (short game – home) LOSS
• Staffordshire (short game – home) LOSS

Results

The team displayed strong foundations in attack and defence, improving cohesion with each match. The wins showcased the squad’s ability to execute structure under pressure, while the losses provided valuable learning moments that contributed to player development and resilience.

Season Highlights

• A broad and diverse representation of clubs within both nominations and the final squad
• Strong performances across the four-match series with a balanced win–loss record
• Player development evident through improved cohesion, communication, and decision-making
• Strong and dedicated coaching and management team