Loughborough College rugby players Hollie Dodd and Francesca Goldthorp have been called up by England Women head coach Craig Richards to join its National Performance Squad.
The 39 players are set to form the teams for the 2020 Women’s Origin Series – and there is no doubt Hollie and Fran will be looking ahead to the Women’s Rugby League World Cup being held in England next year.
A new Knights feeder squad has also been established by England to help develop emerging talent, working closely with players at an earlier stage and introducing them to the international set-up.
Hollie, from Castleford Tigers and Fran, from Leeds Rhinos, are both part of Loughborough College Sport’s Women’s Rugby Academy and the Loughborough Lightning pathway.
Brad Jones, Head Coach of the Loughborough College Sport Women’s Rugby Academy, said: “I would like to say a massive congratulations to both Francesca and Hollie. This is a huge achievement and well deserved.
"The support and education provided by everyone at Loughborough College and the Loughborough Lighting Pathway has been massively influential in developing these players to this point and it’s fantastic to see the programme continue to produce athletes who can play national and international rugby in both codes of the game.”