Rugby union: Gemma Sharples earns surprise selection for England’s Nations Cup squad

GEMMA Sharples has earned an England selection despite not playing a single game since injuring her foot in the last game of the Six Nations eight weeks ago.

The Little Sutton flanker is competing with five other women for her England place and was surprised when selectors named her in the 26-strong squad to go to Canada for the Nations Cup in August.

“I hoped I would be selected but it was touch and go due to my injury,” said Gemma.

“There are six flankers competing for England recognition and most are older and more experienced than me.

“Having not played for eight weeks and testing my foot out for the first time at the warm-up camp, I was really pleased to have been selected.”

The 25-year-old will be hoping to use the Canadian trip, her first tour with the full England woman’s squad, to launch a big season in 2009-10.

England Ladies are due to play New Zealand in a special Investec Twickenham double-header in November which will see the men’s England team take on the All Blacks on the same day at Rugby HQ.

It will be the first time the women’s and men’s teams have shared the bill.

The game will also act as a warm-up for next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup, which will take place in London in August and September, and where Gemma hopes to play a key role.

“My aim for the next year is to help England win the Nations Cup, beat New Zealand and win the World Cup,” said former Sutton High School pupil Gemma. “It will take a lot of hard work but that is my goal.”

The Worcester Ladies player, who is also a PE teacher in Bristol, spent 2008 and the early part of this year establishing herself in the England set-up and playing a crucial role in England’s Six Nations triumph this year.

“It is never easy and I can never sit back and think I’ve made it because competition for places is so intense,” said Gemma.

“We have a really successful team and that will only remain so if we pick the right people to play.”

England kick-off their Nations Cup campaign against the USA on August 10, before facing France on August 13, South Africa on August 19 and Canada on August 22. All games will take place at Appleby College, Toronto.