HOLLY AITCHISON

SARACENS AND CENTRE

Holly Aitchison’s rugby role model growing up was Emily Scarratt and so it was a surreal moment for the Saracens star when she made her England debut with Scarratt’s number on her back.

Scarratt is currently out injured and so couldn’t compete in the Autumn Internationals. After switching to 15s from Sevens, Aitchison was handed her first cap against New Zealand in October and scored her first Red Roses try in the match.

In the build-up to the autumn campaign fans and the media discussedwho could step into the Loughborough Lightning player’s shoes and the hype around the topic was heard by Aitchison.

“It was difficult [not to listen to the Scarratt talk] because she is an amazing player,” she says. “I’ve played a little bit with her in Sevens and she was one of my inspirations growing up. I played a little at Litchfield around her. So her being missing was a massive talking point around the campaign even before I knew I was going to be involved.

“It was impossible to ignore but Mids [head coach Simon Middleton] did a really good job of being like ‘there’s no expectation’. We spoke about the campaign being about discovery so I knew there would be a few opportunities. “The team missed her massively as she is an amazing player. It was a question of what I could bring that could be different and give them other options as well.”

The World Cup is on the horizon and many are starting to speak about the battle for shirts in the England team. Aitchison, 24, however, doesn’t see it as a fight with Scarratt.

She adds: “I don’t see it as a battle. The coaches at England and Saracens, we’ve spoken about playing multiple positions. At the moment I’m working out if it’s possible to play with her. That would be something I would be keen to do. I’m focusing on me and what I can bring to the set-up rather than who I’m battling a shirt with.” Aitchison switched to 15s after competing at the Tokyo Olympics last summer where Team GB finished fourth. The Games didn’t have crowds but Aitchison’s family were able to witness her first 15s cap.

“It was a really special moment to have everyone there. When I was running out, turning to see them in the stands was just amazing.”