Midwife Knight aims to emulate her uncle

JADE Knight is hoping to use her Saracens form as a launchpad to becoming a permanant fixture in the Wales set-up this season.

The Saracens scrumhalf is the niece of former Wales and British & Irish Lions centre Mark Taylor, who is well known for scoring the first try at the then Millennium Stadium in 1999 as Wales recorded their first ever victory over South Africa.

And Taylor would love to emulate her uncle by running out at the Principality Stadium when Wales Women face the Barbarians in November.

“I was actually in the stadium with my aunt and my sister when Mark scored that try,” said the 29-year-old, who made her Wales debut at the 2018 Women’s Six Nations having previously been capped at U20 level.

“I remember it very clearly with that little hand off and then scoring under the posts. He also has his boots which are gold plated in the house so every time I go there you can’t get away from it.

“Generally in the house, other than passing the ball outside, we try and avoid speaking about rugby but on the odd occasion where I am stuck for example with my box kicking, which I‘ve been trying to improve, I can send him a video and he gives me some tips.

“I’m quite senior now with regards to rugby but I’d like to play at the stadium and I’d also be open to playing for the Barbarians as well. But I can only do that if I perform well for Saracens.”

Rugby isn’t the only focus in Knight’s life with the Llanelli-born player a qualified midwife and a mother to her four-yearold son Emrys. But having recently finished her degree Knight is hoping to take the Premiership by storm this season.

She said: “There’s a huge life perspective when you have children. When I go home and see my son Emrys I realise that I’ve got bigger things to be focusing on than rugby.

“Also midwifery helps me keep perspective because it’s a profession where I see life come into the world and also see mother’s heartbrake when they lose their babies. But I’m really keen to push on with Saracens this season.

“It’s a phenomenal setup and I’m confident we can win the Premiership.”