Taylor targets England recall after Everest

ENGLAND world cup winner Tamara Taylor is making her comeback from ankle surgery and setting out to break a world record by playing on Mount Everest.

Taylor, 37, who has 115 England caps as a lock and former captain, will play the highest rugby match ever in the Everest Rugby Challenge in April. Meanwhile, she insists: “I haven’t given up hope on my England career.”

Taylor has endured frustrating months on the sidelines following surgery last June on ruptured ligaments in her ankle.

“It’s taken blooming ages,” she said. “I was supposed to be back in October but after rehab setbacks I saw my lay off stretching to nine months.

“I came off the bench recently but it’s annoying there are no women’s Premiership games now because of the Six Nations.

“I’d never put my hand down for England selection, though it will be a big ask for me to be involved in the next World Cup.”

Taylor makes the trip to Everest to captain a team to raise money for the Wooden Spoon charity, with Shane Williams and former England hooker Lee Mears also captaining teams on the mountain.

“After playing for my country for 13 years, I’m gutted to be missing out on the new England pro contracts, though I am excited that the RFU has finally nailed them down,” she added.

“I played my last international against France and we lost by a single point, so it has been a hard experience watching England do so well from the sidelines and beat tournament holders France.”

Taylor says about her Everest challenge: “I have been training with very long walks. Everest will be something completely different and I’ve never done something as crazy as this before.

“We will stay at advanced base camp and then play a touch game ten minutes each half at the last flat area that exist below the summit. I will be allowed to play in walking boots and a pure merino wool underlay to my kit.”