Burns delight as Aitchison blooms

HOLLY Aitchison was nominated for Women’s Six Nations player of the tournament and her former teacher Gill Burns says the England fly-half is the most determined sports woman she’s ever seen. 

- BEN JAYCOCK

Burns, 58, taught Aitchison as well as England back row Sarah Beckett at Range high school in Formby, and is delighted to have played a part in their rise to Grand Slam champions.

She said: “I played touch rugby at Waterloo RFC alongside Sarah Beckett when she was 12 and I was an old veteran in a tournament we won. Holly Aitchison and Sarah were both in my school house.

“I’ve watched them both grow as mini and junior players, I know both their dads from them playing at Waterloo and it’s lovely to see them go on and become world class players in their own right.”

Former back row Burns, who played in four World Cups and captained England between 1994-1999, is delighted that Saracens star Aitchison is finally able to show what she’s capable of internationally in the fly-half position.