England World Cup win inspires young rugby players

Alice (left), Maisie (centre) and Julia Williams (right) all went to the final of the Women's Rugby World Cup

Young Jersey rugby players said they were inspired by watching England win the World Cup on Saturday.

The Red Roses beat Canda at Twickenham in front of a record to lift the trophy for a third time.

Julia Williams – who runs the Minis and Juniors rugby programme in Jersey – was there, along with players Alice, 16, and Maise, 14.

Alice said: "I'm going to rewatch Hannah Botterman's jackal tactics because that was my favourite thing to watch." Maise added: "Botterman also signed my hoodie as well".

'Give it a go'

There was a peak television audience figure of 5.8 million in the UK for the final and Ms Williams said she had seen support for the women's game grow.

She said that support had been "building over time" and "it's been important to keep at this to get to this point where people do take the sport seriously".

Ms Williams added: "We are a growing squad, and we would love some more players to come along, give it a go and have some fun."

Currently, the Jersey women's rugby team plays in the National Challenge 1 South East (South) and is looking to grow the sport in the island.

Several members of the rugby team signed Maisie's hoodie

Alice plays for the Under-16s and Maisie plays for the Under-14s and both said they had been inspired by England's performances in the World Cup.

Alice said: "It was really cool and they played so well, and rugby is so good because it gives you so many opportunities".

Maisie added: "England are so nice and they were around for an hour-and-a-half after the game, so I went down and asked for autographs and they said yes."

The girls said they planned to frame the autographed top as a way to remember the special occasion.