Loughborough University’s Lightning’s Williams named in England Netball’s World Cup squad

Taking place from 28 July to 6 August, the 16^th edition of the World Cup will take place in Africa for the first time.

Williams, 25, has been in fine form for Lightning throughout this year’s Netball Super League campaign and will return for her first major tournament with England since the last World Cup in 2019.

Loughborough University alumna Jade Clarke has also been selected in the 12-player squad that features a mixture of experience and youth, with 810 caps shared amongst the group.

Jess Thirlby, Vitality Roses Head Coach, commented: “The unveiling of our Roses squad is a hugely exciting moment and the culmination of years of hard work that the players and the wider team have put in to drive the depth and breadth of our talent pool, as well as our performances on the international and domestic stage.

“This squad strikes a great balance of experience whilst also introducing an exciting point of difference with some of our incredible young talent who are deserving of their place in the squad amongst some of the sport’s longest serving players. Importantly, this team along with our three travelling reserves, speaks to what we believe is one of our greatest strengths – our tactical diversity – and gives us the best chance to counteract those styles of our biggest rivals.

“The global game has moved on since the last World Cup and now more than ever, the margins between the top nations are at their narrowest. Tournament netball and its conditions are like no other league in the world and it will be important to call upon those varying styles of play within the team in order to help move us closer to breaking into a World Cup final for the first time.

“The team are highly ambitious, hugely supportive of each other and I trust together we will do whatever we can to perform at our best in Cape Town.”

Lightning Head Coach Vic Burgess was delighted with Fran’s inclusion in the squad: “Since Fran arrived in Loughborough, she’s consistently shown how she’s an incredible athlete and model professional. 

“We’ve benefited first-hand from her on-court experience and the ability to read and understand the sport. We’re sure she’ll once again be a huge asset to the Vitality Roses out in South Africa and all of us at Lightning wish them all the very best.”

The Vitality Roses, who finished third at the 2019 edition in Liverpool, will begin their World Cup campaign against Barbados on Friday 28 July, followed by the Malawi Queens on Saturday 29 July before a Home Nations clash with the Scottish Thistles on Sunday 30 July.

Their next fixtures in the competition will be determined by their results in the opening stage. The Final will take place on Sunday 6 August. A full guide to how the competition works can be viewed here.

Vitality Roses full squad:

Travelling reserves