Women’s Six Nations: Zoe Aldcroft’s journey to become England captain

Aldcroft had huge desire and determination and, to further her rugby ambitions, moved from the family home in the north-east to the south-west to study and take part in a full-time rugby programme at Hartpury College.

“Moving away was a huge decision,” Aldcroft said. “The first week I hated it. I didn’t realise I would be so homesick but it was the best two years I have ever experienced.

“I hoped one day I would be able to play for England, so I concentrated on that dream.”

Sean Lynn, now head coach of Wales women, first encountered a 16-year-old Aldcroft when he was teaching at Hartpury.

It was not long before he had a conversation with Red Rose head coach Simon Middleton about a player he “can’t fault”.

“‘She’s not going to be a leader by her outspoken words, this girl will lead by example’,” said Lynn, who became head coach of Gloucester-Hartpury in 2020.

“On and off the pitch, she is just a professional individual.

“She is that warrior queen but what I love about her is she demands high standards in training.”

Aldcroft signed for Darlington Mowden Park Shark in 2015, representing England under-20s for two years before making an instant impact on her senior England debut in November 2016.

Coming on in the closing stages against then Six Nations champions France, she scored the winning try in a 17-13 victory.

Next year she signed for Gloucester-Hartpury and in 2018 was named co-captain with Natasha Hunt, while establishing herself in the England squad.

“Once you get a little taste of it you just want more,” she said. “I am just so hungry to keep developing with the teams.”