Tuima relishing England return

By Tom Masters

The 2021 Rugby World Cup defeat ended in heartbreak for England and few felt it more than Lagi Tuima.

The centre missed out on selection to the trip down under, where England would ultimately lose the final 34-31 to hosts New Zealand.

In fact, it had been almost two years since her last cap for the Red Roses when Simon Middleton named her to start against Scotland at Kingston Park in England’s opening game of the TikTok Women’s Six Nations.

That last appearance came back in November 2021, when England defeated Canada 51-12 at her home ground, Twickenham Stoop, and she was determined to relish the occasion on the return.

And having waited so long for another cap, Tuima promised herself if she got the chance again, she was going to enjoy it.

She said: “It was brilliant to be back out there on Saturday.

“It was a huge occasion, for Sarah Hunter mainly, but also for me just to come in and put it all into practice again.

“It was also just about having some fun. I promised myself that if I ever get the opportunity again I will enjoy it and I definitely did.”

England’s 58-7 win over Scotland was hugely important for a number of reasons, with the Red Roses putting in a determined performance to get back on the winning horse after the World Cup final defeat and ensuring Hunter could bow out on a high.

Six Nations Rugby, the official organising body responsible for the TikTok Women’s Six Nations, broke all fan engagement records in 2022 and highlighted its commitment to giving the women’s game the best possible platform to grow. The 2023 edition of the Championship stands to build on this progress, with even bigger crowds expected, more international broadcasters covering all the action and unprecedented social and digital promotion for the heroes of the women’s game.

Tuima added: “As a squad, a lot of players are still massively hurting off the back of that World Cup, despite the great impact it has made on the women’s game here in England.

“Now for us, the focus was on building something special within the group and taking it game by game, so obviously we are hurting, but it is a new year, a new campaign and we are all just raring to put another statement out there that we are still up there.”

It is a Championship of change for England, with Hunter handing the armband to Marlie Packer after the opening game, while coach Simon Middleton will also step down at the conclusion of the competition.

Hunter’s send-off is now complete, and after eight years with England Women the focus is on ending Middleton’s time on a high.

A potential title decider against France at Twickenham is looming in Round 5 but Tuima insists they are not getting too far ahead of themselves.

“I think Mids’ CV speaks for itself,” Tuima added.

“He has had a massive impact on us as a team, but collectively I think he has done a lot for the game.

“He is very much with the mindset that it is building on each game and whatever happens at Twickenham will be thought about closer to the time, but it is about getting things right in the moment and taking it game by game.”

For all the latest TikTok Women’s Six Nations news, information, and details on how to watch the Championship, visit: https://womens.sixnationsrugby.com/