The home grounds of the Exeter Chiefs and Bristol Bears have been selected to host two England Women internationals in September it has been confirmed today.
England Women will play against the USA at Sandy Park in Exeter on Saturday 3 September, 3pm ko and then Wales at Ashton Gate in Bristol on Wednesday 14 September, with a 7.30pm start time.
Simon Middleton’s outfit return to Sandy Park for a fourth time to take on a USA side which boasts a number of players plying their trade at Allianz Premier 15s runners-up Exeter Chiefs in their ranks including forwards Hope Rogers, Rachel Johnson and Kate Zackary as well as backs Jennine Detiveaux, Gabby Cantora and Megan Foster.
The midweek fixture against Wales will be the Red Roses’ first-ever visit to Ashton Gate. A crowd of 14, 689 watched England take on Ioan Cunningham’s outfit in the 2022 TikTok Women’s Six Nations at Kingsholm and another large crowd is targeted at a fellow West Country venue close to the Anglo-Welsh border.
This month Bristol Bears Women have confirmed the signing of a pair of Welsh internationals in scrum half Megan Davies from Exeter Chiefs and loosehead prop Gwenllian Pyrs along with England hooker Lark Davies from Loughborough Lightning, meaning all three could run out for their respective nations on home turf.
Both matches will act as crucial preparation for the team’s Rugby World Cup 2021 campaign which begins on 8 October.
England Women head coach Middleton said: “We’re delighted to be able to confirm our two September Internationals.
“Sandy Park has got a special place in our hearts. The club and the crowd have really embraced us and every time we’ve been there they’ve put on a sensational show.
“Susie Appleby, her staff and players have been exceptional in the Allianz Premier 15s and had a brilliant season too. It’s an honour to go back there and there’s no better place to sign off ahead of travelling to New Zealand.
“Equally, Bristol’s set-up is second to none. It’s another rugby union hotbed with fantastic tradition, staunch support and it’s great to take a game there and go to another venue we know is massively passionate about our sport.
“Bristol have demonstrated their commitment to the women’s game. We as a coaching group had the good fortune of going into their training facility earlier in year and the integration of the men’s and women’s programmes stood out. Their women’s team also had a very strong season in the league, reaching the play-off semi-finals and deserve great credit.
“These matches are important for all three teams’ preparation before heading out to New Zealand and will be exciting contests. We know the people of Devon and the West Country will come out in their numbers and hopefully we can put on a show.”
Exeter Chiefs chairman and chief executive Tony Rowe said: "As a club we’re delighted to be welcoming the Red Roses back to Devon once again. The rise of the women's game in England is there for all to see and here in Exeter we’re helping play our part in that growth.
"Not only have we welcomed record-breaking Red Roses crowds to Sandy Park in the past, but our own women's team are growing year on year and there is a real hunger and passion for the women's game here in the region.
“Sandy Park has proven over the years that it’s a venue fit for hosting international fixtures, so we’re fully expecting another capacity crowd and the people of the area to come out in force and support England Women.”
Ashton Gate managing director Mark Kelly added: “With record-breaking crowds in this year’s Six Nations and more than 4,000 fans attending the Bears Premier 15s game against Harlequins in May, it’s a fantastic time to be welcoming international women’s rugby to Ashton Gate.
“There’s a huge appetite for the women’s game in the city and there’s likely to be Bears involvement in both sides as they prepare for New Zealand. It’s an exciting occasion for Ashton Gate and we look forward to hosting a big crowd.”
Tickets are on sale for both matches now here.
