A 16-YEAR-OLD has capped off an incredible season of rugby by being called up to England Women's Under 18's Rugby Union team.

A rugby enthusiast, Lydia Humphries started playing rugby league with Thatto Heath Girls aged 11.

Developing her rugby league skills over the past five years, Lydia, from Rainhill, has represented St Helens Women under 19s and made her debut for Thatto Heath Womens open age team in May, aged just 16.

Not restricted to one code of rugby, however, Lydia also began playing rugby union for Liverpool St Helens aged 13.

After impressing during her time at the Windle-based rugby union club, her coaches recommended her to Sale Sharks Women Centre of Excellence.

 

The Rainhill High student was then chosen to represent Lancashire Rugby Union prior to the pandemic, and after some stop-start sporting delays, has been performing for the Under 18's team throughout this season.

To top off an impressive roll-call of teams on her CV, Lydia was called up to represent England Rugby Union Under 18s in May.

The Year 11 student, who has been balancing all her sporting achievements alongside her final year of high school studies, will head to training camps later in the year as she aims to make the final selection of the national team.

Lydia said: "It has been a stressful time with my GCSEs, but I think I have managed to balance my education with rugby quite well.

"I really want to be a professional rugby player and go as far as I can with it.

"Hopefully I can play for England in the future, which would be amazing."