Richmond's Turner heads back to rugby roots (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Richmond's Turner heads back to rugby roots

10:43am Friday 4th November 2011 in Richmond RFC By Stuart Amos

Richmond and England Women scrum half Amy Turner said she felt like she had returned to her rugby roots after being picked at hooker to face France on Wednesday.

The former Holy Cross School student, who started her rugby career at Kingston RFC, has 51 caps for her country, but all in the number nine shirt.

Switching to the front row may seem an unusual move, but for Turner, it was always on.

“Not many people will know this, but I actually played all my junior rugby as a hooker,” she said.

“It just so happened our scrum half injured herself. I was the only player who could consistently pass from the left and right so I stood in.

“From there I was asked to go to regional trials and it just snow balled.

“I have always said that when I achieved what I have done as a nine, I would give hooking another go.

“I have four years to go to the next World Cup and my challenge is to be the best hooker in the world by then.”

The uncapped international in Marseille, which England lost 14- 5, marked Turner’s first international appearance since featuring in the 2010 World Cup final defeat to New Zealand at the Stoop.

The 27-year-old has been beset by injuries since then as well as having to make the transition to the front row.

“After the world cup final I went back to premiership rugby and I expressed my intention to the England and Richmond coaches,” she added.

“But before I had a chance to make the move I got myself injured playing sevens in Dubai.

“Initially, it was just going to be six weeks out and an operation and I knew I could deal with that.

“But there were complications as I injured myself again, and then again. So I had to have another operation, which basically meant a year on the sidelines.

“The coaches were concerned that I might not be able to last a full 80 at hooker but I have been doing a lot of work on body positions, striking off the ball and working with Simon Hardy, the England Specialist Coach, and he has been awesome.”

And if Turner did enough to impress on Wednesday night, she hopes head coach Gary Street will give her a starting cap at hooker against France on Saturday in the full international test match at the Pierre de Coubertin Stadium in Chateaurenard.

“It really would mean the world to me to start my first game at hooker but that is something quite rare,” she added.

“I may have 50 plus caps at scrum half, but now I see myself as not having any.

“If I get that starting cap at hooker I will be over the moon. That is the highest privilege..

“I am now more excited and more motivated than ever. I have got my teeth into a new position and have a new hunger to my game.”