Greyhound Rugby Club

TWO women who learnt their rugby in Hereford will be scrumming down for England in this season’s RBS Six Nations campaign.

Former Greyhound girls duo Izzy Noel-Smith and Laura Keates have been named in England’s squad for this weekend’s opening match against Scotland.

Bristol flanker Izzy and prop Laura, who now plays for Worcester, have been friends since their teenage days at the Hereford club.

And Izzy sees no reason why players in Carly Phillips’ current Greyhound women’s squad can’t make the step-up to international level.

“If people have the passion and drive they can get there,” said Izzy, who lived in Much Dewchurch for 11 years.

Izzy, now 23, said: “It’s important to remember that it doesn’t matter how small the club is because anyone can get to the biggest stage if they try their hardest.

“It’s also very important to get things right at grass-roots level and that girls are offered the chance to play rugby at a young age.”

Both Laura and Izzy have been included on the bench for England’s match in Edinburgh on Sunday which kicks off at 5pm.

Izzy was living with her parents Mike and Elizabeth in Much Dewchurch when she first went to Greyhound Rugby Club at 14 years old.

“I played for the girls’ team and we used to train with the women’s team on occasions,” recalled Izzy, who is training to be a teacher at The Paragon Junior School in Bath.

“I remember it being a lot of fun and a very family-orientated club.

“I was playing for a mixed team and then found out about Greyhound in an advert.

“I had a very happy three years at the club and I’ve known Laura Keates ever since we were both 14 years old and playing at Greyhound.”

Izzy has one full international cap, which she won against France in November.

She also played for England in the Seven Series in Dubai.

“My dad is a big rugby man and he played for England Students,” said Izzy.

“He’s the one who inspired me to get into the sport.”

Her brother Will, a former Maximuscle fitness model, appeared for the England President’s XV and Exeter and another brother, Harry, plays rugby for Exmouth.

“My mum has been watching me since I was 18 and she’s now beginning to understand the rules of rugby a bit more,” she said.

The former Greyhound player, who was at Bath between 2007 and 2009, is excited about the forthcoming Six Nations campaign.

“All the teams in the tournament want to beat England — that’s just the way it is.

“England have won six Grand Slams in a row and beat the World Champions, New Zealand, recently.

“It’s the Six Nations — it’s a fantastic thing to be involved in.

“I can’t wait to get my chance against Scotland on Sunday and I hope I can take it,” added Izzy, a former Haberdashers Monmouth School for Girls pupil.