DRYBROOK'S England Women international Ceri Large is hoping to turn Twickenham frustration into delight at the home of rugby this weekend, writes Will Wood.
DRYBROOK'S England Women international Ceri Large is hoping to turn Twickenham frustration into delight at the home of rugby this weekend, writes Will Wood.
The fly-half has started her country's opening two rounds of the Six Nations – the 76-0 drubbing of Scotland at Esher and the 25-0 defeat against Ireland at Ashbourne.
The Worcester playmaker has never played at rugby headquarters before, other than the ten minutes she got off the replacements bench against Wales in last year's tournament.
The 22-year-old was not in the squad for last December's three-match series decider against world champions New Zealand and had to watch on as water girl.
After winning her 12th and 13th caps against Scotland and Ireland respectively, Large has been named in the starting line-up to run out on the hallowed turf against France on Saturday at 7.20pm, after the men have done battle.
"I played ten minutes against Wales last year in the Six Nations but that is the only game time I have ever had at Twickenham," said Large, who lives with her family in the Forest of Dean.
"Hopefully, I will have more than ten minutes after the way my performances have been going.
"I was involved with the New Zealand Tests and I was actually there as water girl for the last game.
"That was a bit frustrating, obviously, seeing it all go ahead and not being picked for it.
"I have not been there to watch as a fan either.
"My family try to come and watch all my games in England but they couldn't come to Ireland last time because of work and stuff, but they watch as much as they can do."
Large works as a community rugby coach in Swindon and has to do a lot of travelling between the Forest and Wiltshire.
She still finds time to watch younger brother Ben play for Drybrook and may watch him represent Gloucestershire Under-20s this Sunday in the rearranged match with North Midlands at Cinderford.
"Ben has just come back from injury, having broken his scaphoid," she said.
"He has had the cast off for a good couple of months and then was on the bench for Drybook a few weeks ago and is back in contention this week.
"I get to watch him when we are not in camp with England and I do go and watch him occasionally because our Worcester games are on a Sunday, so I watch him as much as I can."
