'Depth of squad gives us a real shot at regaining Six Nations crown'
Friday 31 January 2014 11:34, UK
England Women begin their Six Nations campaign in France this weekend, live on Sky Sports 3. Back row Heather Fisher - a Sky Sports Living for Sport athlete mentor - takes us inside the camp...
I see you've been training hard and doing some work on your sprinting. How was it and do you feel in good shape? HF: Putting the England shirt on is the easy bit - it's the training and rehabilitation that takes it out of you! I had a lot of muscle wastage around my knee so I've really had to build my strength up and have plenty of physio. Everyone has been really helpful and supportive. Coming back from injury is one of the most challenging things you can do because you have to believe that you can go out there and do what you were doing six months ago. It can really knock your confidence so you have to dig deep. A few times I've thought 'I can't do this' and then realised that I have to be better than that as I'm going into schools telling kids how to overcome their barriers - and that always spurs me on. So is it fair to say that Sky Sports Living for Sport's Six Keys To Success are as relevant to top level sportsmen and women as they are to young people? HF: The two are definitely linked because you can't be on top of your game without those Keys. The same applies whether you want to be a musician, an artist, or an entrepreneur. You have to build a foundation that allows you to grow and be successful in the future. The RFU says that nearly 14,000 women and girls are currently registered as playing rugby each week - which is more than ever. What makes playing rugby so great? HF: You get to go out on a pitch with your best mates and express yourself and use the skills that you've developed. There are so many different aspects to rugby that it's always keeps you on your toes. When I was a bobsleigher I sometimes got a bit bored, thinking 'all I've got to do is run, push and jump in'. Now I have to work on my tackling, my passing, my feet, body awareness and management, tactics - there are so many different elements that you are always trying to improve and push yourself forward. It's a great way to let off energy and get fit too. You competed for Great Britain in bobsleigh for two years. Do you miss it much? HF: Knowing that our rugby World Cup isn't until later this year, a small part of me was tempted to wonder if I could make the Winter Olympics. But then I got injured and you have to play with the cards that you're dealt. But my aim remains to compete in the Summer and Winter Olympics, in Sevens Rugby and Bobsleigh respectively. Watch England Women take on France Women in the Six Nations from 7.50pm on Sky Sports 3 this Saturday. To find out more about Sky Sports Living for Sport - and how to get involved - simply click here.
