A WOMEN’S rugby player from Little Sutton will attempt to help her country to international glory this weekend.

Gemma Sharples is part of the England squad that is aiming to retain the Women’s European Sevens Cup in Moscow.

The 26-year-old flanker, who now lives in Cheltenham and plies her trade for Worcester Wolves’ ladies team, was not part of last year’s successful squad but does have real pedigree when it comes to the sevens form of the sport.

Former Sutton High School student Sharples, who has 12 international caps, memorably scored the try which earned England a famous 14-10 victory over the New Zealand Aotearoa Maori at Twickenham during the London Sevens two years ago.

The call-up to the Russian event is a big boost for former Women’s Six Nations winner Sharples after she was not named in hosts England’s squad for the Women’s World Cup, which takes place at Surrey Sports Park in Guildford and the Twickenham Stoop, home of Harlequins, next month.