Eight get England call for Six Nations
EIGHT Gloucester-hartpury players have been named in the England squad for the Women’s Six Nations.
Zoe Aldcroft, Maud Muir, Alex Matthews, Mackenzie Carson and Sarah Beckett have been selected, whilst Emma Sing, Natasha Hunt and Tatyana Heard are named in the backs.
Gloucester-hartpury are guaranteed a home semi-final after their 57-24 win over Harlequins, their 13th consecutive Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby win.
Harlequins broke the deadlock after a Shaunagh Brown try but Gloucester-hartpury levelled after Beckett’s powerful carry took her over the line and Sing’s conversion brought them back to 7-7, and they were in front when Muir received the ball with 20 metres out and surged towards the line, running through two Quins defenders before stretching to score, Sing drilling another conversion.
Heather Cowell went over for Quins before Beckett went over for her second just before half time to give Gloucester-hartpury a 21-12 interval lead.
Gloucester-hartpury came out all guns blazing in the second half, crossing for their fifth score five minutes in through Nel Metcalfe, then it was Pip Hendy’s turn to get on the scoresheet, with Sing adding the conversion from the touchline.
Metcalfe then got her second, converted by Sing, but Harlequins kept battling and got their third and fourth tries through former Gloucester-hartpury hooker Connie Powell.
Two Neve Jones tries from Gloucester-hartpury driving mauls racked up 50 points for Gloucesterhartpury before Metcalfe capped off a fine individual performance as she glided in for her hat-trick.
The PWR now breaks for the Six Nations and returns in May when Gloucester-hartpury take on Loughborough Lighting.
Women’s Championship North 1 champions Cheltenham Tigers were 48-7 winners at Bishop Auckland in their final game before the play-offs.
Zoe Heeley led the way with four tries, Jordan Russell, Niamh Finlayson, Grace Deane and Trudy Cowan with the others, Mary-ann Gittings with four conversions.
Their seconds were beaten 37-29 at Ivybridge in Women’s Championship South West 2, Georgia Lake with two tries, as Bibi Marley, Amealia Lavallee and Suzie Walker also crossed, with a conversion each for Eleanor Brebner-holden and Tara Godby.
Drybrook gave a walkover to Trojans.