While the UK wonders what’s around the corner on the Covid-19 front, Gloucester-Hartpury prop Ellena Perry can at least look to the future with renewed confidence and belief about the way her rugby adventure is headed.

Weeks into her second season with Gloucester-Hartpury Women’s RFC – a partnership between Gloucester Rugby and Hartpury University and Hartpury College – she was recalled to the England Women’s squad to gain her 10th senior cap in a dramatic victory over France.

In what was her first England appearance since last year’s autumn internationals, Ellena watched on as team-mate Emily Scarratt held her nerve to strike a last-minute penalty and secure an unforgettable 25-23 victory at Twickenham.

“It did feel really good to be back in a white shirt again,” said Ellena.

“After the autumn internationals last year I wasn’t really enjoying my rugby, but with everything surrounding Covid-19 and being forced to take a break from rugby because of lockdown, I have started to enjoy it again and now look at life with a fresh pair of eyes.

“I used to put myself under an enormous amount of pressure, but now I’m just trying to enjoy my rugby, working as hard as I can and doing my best.

“If it comes, it comes, as it did with the call-up for the game with France, but if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.

“The funny thing is, I didn’t actually know we’d won the game against France until a few minutes afterwards. When I’d last looked at the scoreboard it was 23-20, so I thought Emily was kicking to draw, so when everyone was going crazy and celebrating I thought ‘Yes, it was good to come back and get a draw’.

“It was only when I looked up at the scoreboard again when we were in the team huddle that I knew we’d actually won!”

Ellena switched to Gloucester-Hartpury from Saracens Women, just before the start of the 2019-20 Premier 15s season. Under the guidance of Head Coach Sean Lynn, the squad benefits from Hartpury’s state-of-the-art training facilities and a coaching team that includes former England and Gloucester Rugby star James Forrester.

“Last year I struggled with injuries, so I was in an out, but touch wood it’s been really good so far this season,” she said. “It’s such good place to train and develop, as a team and as an individual.

“Working with Sean and the rest of the coaching team is great, and all the girls in the squad are class. There’s a really positive atmosphere within the group and everyone is working hard to make sure we have a good season.

“Even though I was here last year, this season feels different. I’m enjoying it a lot more and actually it feels like my first season.

“Things just feel right, like everything has fallen into place. It feels like a fresh start.”

England's Ellena enjoying fresh start with Gloucester-Hartpury

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