Lauren Lowe: Outgoing Jersey captain impressed by progress of island's women's side

Lauren Lowe

Lauren Lowe has captained Jersey for six seasons

Outgoing Jersey rugby captain Lauren Lowe has said she cannot believe how far the island's women's side has come.

Lowe is leaving the club after a decade to move to Australia having captained the islanders for the past six years.

In that time they have gone from struggling for numbers to entering the English league system - and are currently second in Women's National Challenge 2 South East (South).

"We barely were able to field a side of 15," she told BBC Radio Jersey.

"Now the coaches are struggling to pick a team each week because we've had so many fantastic players with such great core skills and fitness.

"Their rugby knowledge has developed hugely so each time I watch a game I'm so impressed with every player because they're leaving it all on the field and their standard has improved so much.

"For me I'm really proud to captain a side that have come on leaps and bounds. From not even scoring tries in the Siam Cup against Guernsey to now convincingly beating and hammering Guernsey has been fantastic.

"I finished the Siam the last few times in tears with so much pride for what we've achieved as a squad.

"I also think a lot of that goes to the coaches who have committed so much of their time into developing the side as well."

Lowe came through Jersey's minis and junior ranks and played alongside the boys before being able to play women's rugby aged 18.

But Jersey's first victory over Guernsey - a 40-0 win in 2022 in the first meeting after the Covid-19 pandemic - is one she will treasure above all else.

"Captaining that first Siam Cup when we beat them 40-0 on a home field with a massive crowd behind us, that is a memory that I'll carry with me forever," said Lowe.

"We loved that moment and we were so proud to be a part of this sport and representing Jersey Rugby Club on that day."

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