DON'T TELL ME I CAN'T...play rugby for England

Renee Watson proves it’s never too late to fulfill a childhood dream

- FRANCES LEATE

Diving forwards, I landed with a thud over the line, clutching the rugby ball firmly to my chest. I heard the jubilant cries of my teammates and I realized I’d just scored a try, and later we won the game. My body ached and I had mud dripping from my face and hair, down my legs and back, yet I couldn’t shake the feeling of excitement, pride, and pure exhilaration because, finally, at the age of 42, I had fulfilled my childhood dream of playing rugby for my country.

As a child, I’d watched my two brothers enviously as they took to the rugby pitch at weekends. It looked like such a fun and energetic game and I’d begged my dad to let me play, too, but he was always wary of letting me take up such a boisterous sport. Over the years, I took up other hobbies, such as netball, but I always felt as though I was missing out on not playing rugby.