South Molton star ready to shine for the Red Roses in Six Nations

Emma Sing turned to sports psychology after losing her central contract and now the World Cup winner is targeting more Red Roses starts.

The Gloucester Hartpury full-back has been the top points-scorer in Premiership Women’s Rugby for the past two seasons, helping her team to a hat-trick of titles, but wasn’t contracted with England heading into World Cup year.

The prospect of watching the biggest-ever Women’s World Cup from the sidelines was motivation for Sing who forced her way back into the mix and was part of the Red Roses squad that reclaimed the world title in front of a sold-out Allianz Stadium last September.

Now a contracted Red Rose, the South Molton star puts the success down to seeking help after intervention from friends and teammates.

Speaking about her contract situation, she said: “It was really hard; I just stuck my head down.

“I was playing for my club, and some people didn't think I was quite right, nudged me to seek help from the sports side and then chatted it through, put together a plan and then got back to playing.

“Lizzie Goulden was the one to nudge me in the right direction. The goal was to get my contract back, which I did eventually get it back. It taught me, just don't be afraid to seek help if you need it.”

That help did the trick, with Sing earning a spot in John Mitchell’s squad and making three appearances at the World Cup.

While she faces a battle to wrestle the England No.15 jersey away from Ellie Kildunne, Sing’s goal-kicking is a string to her bow that might help her earn greater playing time for the Red Roses.

First up in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations is a clash with Ireland at Allianz Stadium, returning to the ground for the first time since the World Cup final.

“The greatest accolade is to start for your country, and I’ve only started two or three games, so to put my hand up for selection is something I’m going to do my best for. Anything to keep putting on that white shirt,” said Sing, speaking at an Allianz-event and opening the doors to Allianz Stadium and engaging in the local community with St Mary’s students.

“Now’s a time that people who haven’t necessarily had opportunities before are going to get them, there are three pregnancies in camp (World Cup-winning skipper Zoe Stratford and fellow forwards Abbie Ward and Lark Atkin-Davies) and it’s probably going to be about developing talented younger players.

“It's just nice to be able to come back (to Allianz Stadium). That's how we finished the World Cup and we're straight back there for the next game. We want to get all the fans in, and 70,000 tickets have been sold already. It'll be a great experience.”

Sing returned from injury recently to make her 100th appearance for the Circus in their win over Leicester Tigers last Sunday.

She sits second in the points charts in the PWR behind Saracens fly-half Zoe Harrison, while her last defeat of any kind came back in 2024.

Reflecting on how special it was to be part of the squad for last year’s final and returning to Allianz Stadium to take on Ireland for the first match at the Allianz following the record breaking RWC win, she added: “You got goosebumps especially when we got off the bus for the World Cup final, seeing everyone and all the stairwells packed with people cheering. Could that happen again? We want it to.”