POWER SURGE
Ireland must beware dynamic England forward Aldcroft, an inspirational force who plays like Italian icon Parisse
SERGIO Parisse, the legendary Italian No8, finally called it a day last year. Pushing 40 years old and with 21 seasons of professional rugby under his belt, he retired with 142 Test caps to his name and the respect of teammates and rivals spanning the globe.
A tall, athletic and skilful backrow forward, Parisse was a force of nature on the field. Whether it was carrying, tackling, securing lineout ball or restarts, he inspired confidence in any team he represented.
England’s Zoe Aldcroft shares a lot of traits with the iconic Azzurri forward. The Gloucester-Hartpury player, who is equally comfortable at lock or in the backrow, is one of the many threats Ireland will have to negate on Saturday.
That looming Six Nations clash at Twickenham will be positively daunting for Scott Bemand’s side. Yes, they will arrive in London off the back of a galvanising win against Wales, their first in the championship since 2022 and a victory which ended a seven-match losing streak.
The hosts, however, will be a totally different proposition. The Red Roses are undefeated in this tournament since 2018, sealing a staggering five consecutive Grand Slams in the process.
John Mitchell’s class of 2024 are hurtling towards a sixth successive clean sweep at a ferocious pace, beating Italy, Wales and Scotland by an aggregate score of 140-10 in the past three rounds. And, despite Ireland’s recent improvements, another resounding victory looks on the cards this weekend.
It’s players like Aldcroft who have driven such high standards in recent years.
Known for her toughness, she took up the game at age nine after watching her dad line out for his club on Saturday afternoons.
Netball and ballet were other pursuits in her youth, which goes a long way to explain her aerial prowess and skill on the field. She became a rugby fanatic. Jonny Wilkinson was a childhood hero. On one occasion, a young Aldcroft set off for Toulon to watch the England out-half in action for the French giants. A grandmother of one of her friends knitted her a doll of the World Cup-winning No10. Aldcroft still brings the doll along to games as a good-luck charm.
After studying Sports and Exercise science at Hartpury College, she signed with Gloucester-Hartpury, one of the top teams in the Premier 15s league. The club are currently unbeaten after 13 rounds.
Aldcroft is co-captain this season in a powerful pack which features Ireland internationals Neve Jones and Sam Monaghan.
The 27-year-old recently signed a new deal with the club having led them — alongside cocaptain Natasha Hunt — to a first Women’s Premiership title last year.
Having risen through the agegrade ranks with distinction, Aldcroft quickly drew the attention of the national selectors, winning her first international cap as a late replacement in a 17-13 win over the USA at Salt Lake City in July 2016. She has become a mainstay in the England ranks ever since.
On Saturday, she is poised to win her 52nd cap against Ireland in front of what is expected to be a record crowd at England HQ. Last weekend, she captained her country for the first time in a 46-0 hammering of the Scots.
She was one of the first England players to sign professional contracts in 2019. The English RFU were trailblazers on that front at the time and the likes of Aldcroft flourished as full-time pros. In 2021, her stellar performances on the international stage were recognised and Aldcroft was named World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year. Next year, England will host the 2025 World Cup on home soil. It promises to be a groundbreaking tournament.
For now, England have Ireland in their sights. And with the likes of Aldcroft in their ranks, they will be confident of taking yet another scalp in this championship.