Megan's delight at Murrayfield debut (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Megan's delight at Murrayfield debut

8:00am Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

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A BASINGSTOKE teenager is hoping to emulate the exploits of former ’Stoke colt Tom Rees after playing for England at Murrayfield.

Megan Horwood, who plays for the Sirens, Basingstoke’s ladies team, made her debut for England Colleges in Edinburgh last month.

The openside flanker, who is 18, helped her side to a 15-5 victory over Scotland under-21s and now has her sights set on more international honours.

“I have played for Hampshire in the past and the next step would be to get into the national talent and development squad,” Horwood said.

“From there you get picked for the England under-20 team. I am a couple of steps away from that but I am |hoping to do it.”

Horwood, who lives in Mendip Close, Buckskin, was born in South Africa but has lived in Basingstoke from the age of 11.

She has played all of her rugby in this country and is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Wasps and England’s Rees, who began his career at ’Stoke and plays in the same position as Horwood.

“I would love to achieve what Tom Rees has managed to achieve,” the Queen Mary’s College student said. “There must be something in the air for flankers around here.

“Flanker is the best position because you get to be part of the forwards but still nail players in the tackle. It’s very physical and I like that side of the game so it really suits me.

“It also plays to my strengths, which are tackling and turning the ball over.”

Horwood was not expecting to get the call from England and admits that the quality of opposition was a worry.

“When I was called up I was a bit surprised and nervous, especially because we were playing a national side,” she said. “That put us on even more of a high when we won.

“When we first walked out at Murrayfield I was nervous but excited at the same time.

“That all changed when the whistle went though. I was able to block everything out and concentrate on the game.

“I really enjoyed it. It was a great experience and I’m hoping to be in the team again when we play Wales Colleges later this month.

“I think I played quite well and the coaches said I had a good game. I certainly made a few tackles and was happy with the way it went overall.”

Horwood plays for the Sirens at senior level and Ellingham and Ringwood under-18s.

She was joined in the England Colleges team by fellow QMC student, Ellingham and Ringwood teammate and former ’Stoke youngster Lisa Cockburn, who started the game in the second row.