Date: Monday February 3, 2020 at 9:01am
Source :
https://www.forces.net/sport/rugby-union/england-rugby-six-nations-call-rafs-amy-cokayne
Cath Brazier
31st January 2020 at 11:39am
Cokayne has been named in England women's
squad for the upcoming championship.
RAF Rugby Union star Amy Cokayne says
she is "definitely ready" to represent England at this year’s Six
Nations.
The Harlequins player recently
returned from a number of injuries including torn hamstring tendon.
20 August 2018
Despite the lack of regular playing
time, Cokayne has been picked as part of the national set-up for the
international tournament.
She said: "I tore my hamsting
tendon and had a foot issue plus a shoulder issue.
"I’ve had a few injuries and bad
things happen in threes, don’t they?
"Hopefully that is me done for a
while now but I’m fit.
"I’ve got a few club games under
my belt now so I’m definitely ready to go for the Six Nations."
Amy Cokayne prepares to take the ball
England are the current holders of
the trophy after a win last year and Cokayne has revealed the team’s mentality
heading into the big games.
"We’ve talked about not
defending [the title]."
"We’re trying to get away from
that defensive mindset and hopefully put on some good performances and good
attacking play."
"Every year, the teams change.
Wales, for example, have different coaches and some new players coming
in."
"They are blooding new people as
well."
"Playing Scotland away is very
tough. They are a very passionate country and it’ll be freezing up in Scotland
away as well."
"To end on Italy away is huge.
Again, a very passionate country that on any day can beat anyone."
"There are tough games
throughout really."
30 September 2019
The England international will also
be representing the RAF at the Inter Services in March.
The Air Force shocked the military
landscape when they won
the title after 20 years of Army dominance.
Cokayne was a key member of the RAF's winning side at the
2019 Inter Services.
Cokayne is expecting an interesting
tournament.
"We know we’ve just riled the
Army up and the Navy," she says.
"We still have a really good
side and I know they have as well."
"We’ve got a few good games in preparation. We are playing Saracens
and then heading away."
"We’ll have some good game time
and hopefully it will be really good games again.”
Cokayne’s recent move to Harlequins
has seen her take her next step in her career, becoming a permanent full-time
player.
She thinks it has helped her grow as
a player.
"It’s huge especially to be
full-time," Cokayne says.
"They have a good full-time
programme."
"Every day, you know exactly
what you are doing and what sessions you are doing."
"It’s a good bunch of girls as
well so every day, there’s at least 16 girls."
"It beats doing a gym or running
session by yourself."