The team for the first England Women's Pathway match in the 2024 Six Nations Women's Summer Series has been announced, including two players who used to play for Somerset teams.

Head coach LJ Lewis unveiled the team ahead of England's match against Ireland on Thursday, July 4 in Parma, Italy.

Kicking off at 5.30pm BST and streamed live on YouTube, the match will be played at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

The Women’s Summer Series is designed to offer pivotal rugby development opportunities to players who may have missed the U18 entry point, opening up another route to international rugby.

LJ Lewis' squad includes Lia Green (Loughborough Lightning, formerly Winscombe RFC) and Reneeqa Bonner (Bristol Bears, formerly Clevedon Rugby Club).

Resuming her captaincy for the team is Loughborough Lightning lock Lilli Ives Campion.

She is joined in the engine room by Tyla Shirley (Harlequins).

The team can rely on the skills of the 2024 Allianz Cup-winning Saracens half-back partnership of Tori Sellors and Amelia MacDougall.

Also in the squad will be Premiership Women’s Rugby winner Millie Hyett (Gloucester-Hartpury).

The squad welcomes a new face, with Anna Richardson of Exeter University making her full debut in the blindside flanker role.

In addition, Kira Leat from Trailfinders Women’s may make her debut from the replacements bench.

In June, the team prepared for the forthcoming series with an opposed training session against Ireland at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre.

Following Thursday's match, England will go on to contend with Wales on July 9, at 8pm BST, and France on July 14, also at 8pm BST.

Commenting on the upcoming matches, LJ Lewis said: "Our recent session at Bisham Abbey gave us a good flavour of the competitiveness we know from Ireland, which we only expect to naturally be raised to match the occasion this Thursday.

“That said, as a group we’re determined to prove ourselves at this level and make sure the first Women’s Summer Series tournament will be one to remember for our pathway.

"The next few weeks are the time for growth and opportunity for the players, coaches and staff of women’s pathway rugby in Europe.

“We’ve learnt a great deal about ourselves and our processes in recent months with good Tests against Army Women, Wales and France too.

"We’re conscious we have to remain focused and still raise our levels on the biggest stage.”

Supporters can watch the matches live on the England Rugby YouTube channel.

Full England team to face Ireland: 15 Lia Green, 14 Sophie Hopkins, 13 Millie Hyett, 12 Carmela Morrall, 11 Reneeqa Bonner, 10 Amelia MacDougall, 9 Tori Sellors; 1 Chloe Flanagan, 2 Lucy Calladine, 3 Hannah Sams, 4 Tyla Shirley, 5 Lilli Ives Campion (c), 6 Anna Richardson, 7 Joia Bennett, 8 Annabel Meta.

Replacements: 16 Niamh Swailes, 17 Amelia Williams, 18 Kira Leat, 19 Jorja Battishill, 20 Ellie Roberts, 21 Alex Wilkinson, 22 Samantha Shiels, 23 Millie David.