Students make England Women’s U18s Training Camp

Eight Oaklands College rugby players have been selected for the latest England Women’s Under-18s training camp, marking a significant achievement for the players and further highlighting the success of Oaklands College’s elite rugby programme.

Their selection forms part of their continued progression through the Saracens Women’s Rugby Pathway, which is based at Oaklands College. The pathway is designed to identify, support and develop talented young players, providing access to high-performance coaching, structured training environments and ongoing performance support.

The eight students were named among a 47-player England Under-18s Women’s squad that took part in a three-day training camp at Loughborough University, commencing on Friday 12th December. The camp brought together the country’s most promising players in this age-group, offering opportunities to train, develop skills and experience a national high-performance environment.

England Under-18s Women’s head coach James Cooper, supported by assistant coach Ollie Perry, selected three previously capped players for the camp, including Oaklands College student Lily. Her inclusion reflects consistent performance and ongoing progression within the England pathway.

This milestone highlights the strength of the Saracens Women’s Rugby Pathway and its partnership with Oaklands College in developing elite female rugby talent. It also reflects the dedication, ambition and commitment of the players, alongside the expertise of the coaching and support staff who guide them throughout their development.

The eight selected students are: Tiger – Hooker, Middlesex; Lily – Winger, Middlesex; Leila – Back Row, Eastern Counties; Ruby – Prop, East Midlands; Jemima – Fullback, East Midlands; Scarlett – Centre, Hertfordshire; Alix – Scrum Half, Surrey; Lavinia – Centre, East Midlands.

Leila said:

“Being selected for the England U18s training camp is an incredible opportunity. The support from Oaklands College and the Saracens Pathway has been amazing, and I’m excited to learn and grow at camp.”

Niamh McHugh, Saracens Women’s Rugby Pathway Lead, said:

“We are incredibly proud of these eight players. Their selection for the England training camp marks a major achievement for the programme and underlines the strength of our partnership with Oaklands College in developing elite female rugby talent. We look forward to seeing them continue to develop at the national level.”

Their involvement at this level provides valuable experience, strengthens future squad depth, and reinforces Oaklands College’s role in preparing athletes for national representation and long-term progression within the women’s rugby pathway system in England today. These achievements inspire younger players and showcase sustainable talent development models.