Leytonstone-born Lucie Wood says she owes all her rugby success to first club Eton Manor after being called into the Elite England Women’s squad for the first time.

The 20-year-old has previously represented England Women’s Under-20s for three years but was last week called up to the Elite squad for the first time.

Wood, who plays her club rugby for Bristol Ladies, started playing at local club Eton Manor and said: "I owe all my rugby to them. My Dad took me down there at nine and I played there and captained the lads’ side for three years.

"Girls’ rugby gets knocked on the head at 13 but they played such a big part in my career. My first shirt from the [England] Under-20s went to them and I really owe them so much."

The flanker is currently studying strength and conditioning at the University of Worcester and found out she had been called into the Elite fold for the first time whilst in class.

She explained: "We got an email from our manager and she emailed through the selections list and it had the England Under-Under-20s on it too. And then there were the Elite England players’ squad too and I was on that. I was in a lecture actually, it was quite emotional really. I didn’t know what to do with myself - I wasn’t expecting it.

"We found out on the Tuesday and the press release was on Wednesday so it wasn’t too bad - I didn’t have to keep it secret for too long. We could tell our immediate family but it was great to be able to tell all my family and friends who have been with me since the beginning."

Wood, who is one of 16 new faces in coach Gary Street’s squad, says her ultimate aim is to represent England at the 2017 World Cup and will hope to be involved next year’s Six Nations Championships, which run alongside the men’s competition next spring.