Matthews’ rugby dream continues in French victory
EX-SEVENS STAR ADAPTS WELL TO 15S STRUCTURE
ALEX MATTHEWS collected her 40th cap for England on Saturday as the Red Roses beat France 25-23 at Twickenham.
In a nail-biting final 15 minutes, a penalty kick from Emily Scarratt as the clock went red gave England the narrow win, showing the world what they have to offer as preparations are fully in place for the Rugby World Cup 2021 in New Zealand.
This will be the first time the Rugby World Cup has been played outside of the Northern Hemisphere and preparations have started as the pools were drawn this week.
Matthews’ call up to return to 15s was a bittersweet opportunity to have the best of both worlds.
The RFU cut all funding to the England Sevens programme earlier this year, with which Matthews was a professional contacted player following the last World Cup in 2017.
Transitioning from a full-time Sevens career to the structure of 15s has taken a bit of time to get used to, although Alex has said that the structure has helped though lockdown to remain focused and positive. When Matthews and her fellow squad members were made redundant, Jo Yapp, the Worcester Warriors coach, was quick to offer the Surrey player a place.
This is not the only new venture for Matthews.
When she was asked in junior school what she would like to be when she grew up, her answer was a convincing ‘my dream is to be a professional rugby player’.
Alex, along with her sister Fran, also an England international, both kicked off their rugby career at their local rugby club Camberley RFC.
Alex fondly recalls her playing roots, saying: “Bob Jones, my Camberley coach, taught me everything I know”.
In the spirit of giving back, Alex is at the helm of launching Didi rugby at Worcester, joining the growing Didi rugby classes across the country introducing rugby to children from 18 months to six years.
With no rugby Sevens, a recall to England and a career change, rugby has taken Matthews down a new path for 2020. With a vision for more girls rugby in schools and giving equal coverage on mainstream television to the women’s game as there is for the men’s, Alex is an inspiration to all female athletes in the world of rugby and a proud ambassador for Camberley RFC.