Loughborough Women enjoy Twickenham experience

AFTER A stunning victory which saw Loughborough College women’s rugby named 2018 Rosslyn Park national champions, the team has played for a crowd of 55,000 as the World Rugby Sevens Series visited Twickenham Stadium.

The winning squad was invited to play on the hallowed turf during the HSBC London Sevens to reward their achievement in taking the major title, after beating Hartpury College in the March final of the annual National Schools Sevens competition.

Hot on the heels of their triumph at Rosslyn, the Loughborough College team went on to win national rugby gold in the Association of Colleges Sport 2018 national finals.

The day in Twickenham began with a breakfast for the young players and their parents and guardians with the opportunity to meet former rugby professionals before Loughborough and Hartpury headed off to play.

“When we saw the girls emerge from the tunnel, the look on their faces as they ran out was a very special moment. Loughborough at Twickenham. Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images “The noise was unbelievable. Many of the girls sented Great Britain at the 2017 Deaflympics and have played the women’s rugby circuit and internaJodie, Phoebe Andrews, Bryony Field, Kayleigh tionals but none has ever experienced a crowd of Waller and Jess Weaver are all part of the England that size,” said Loughborough College’s Dave Talent Development Group alongside Anya RichEdmunds, who was at Twickenham as coach, alongmond who was injured and unable to play at Twickside College women’s rugby academy coach and enham. Many of the Academy side play regularly for Loughborough Lightning Rugby women’s head Loughborough Lightning first team and the squad coach Rhys Edwards and with tutor and Academy trains with Rhys and England Captain Sarah Hunter. Sport welfare officer Claire Plimmer, as the team’s The full squad was: Jess Weaver, Bryony Field, sports therapist. Orla McCallion, Jodie Ounsley, Ellen Ramsbottom,

The Twickenham side included Jodie Ounsley, Hollie Bawden, Grace White, Grace Standbridge, who is on the England Women Deaf Rugby squad - Kayleigh Waller, Lorna Raycraft, Tia Rich and who recently won the World Cup. She also repre- Phoebe Andrews