Merryn Doidge has been named in the England Women Under 20 rugby squad to face France in Strasbourg tomorrow (6pm).

The 18-year-old centre, a former Liskeard School and Community College student who lives in Darite, is among the match-day squad of 23 selected by head coach Jo Yapp.

Merryn, who started playing rugby with Liskeard-Looe RFC, now represents Bristol Bears and Exeter College, where she is studying.

Captained by Bristol Bears centre Pheobe Murray, England will play France in a two-game series after defeating Army Women 33-5 in a preparation match last month.

Yapp said: ‘This two-game series provides us with a great opportunity to develop individual players as well as the team as a whole.

‘Playing at the Stade de Hautepierre will be a brilliant experience for this group where they will be exposed to playing away in Test match conditions.

‘The players will undoubtedly have to make key leadership decisions under pressure that will be invaluable to their development. We’re really excited to get out there and to see what they can achieve.’