Nicola Crawford

Nicola Crawford
Date of birth (1971-11-20) 20 November 1971 (age 53)
Height1.7 m (5 ft 7 in)
Weight67 kg (148 lb; 10 st 8 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
Worcester (0)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1997–2006 England 65 (300)

Nicola Crawford (née Brown; born 20 November 1971) is a former English rugby union player. She competed for England at the 1998, 2002 and 2006 Rugby World Cups.

Rugby career

Crawford discovered rugby while attending the University Officer Training Corps in Bristol.[1] She began her rugby career with Pershore before moving to Worcester.[1] She played in the 1998 and 2002 Rugby World Cups.[1]

In 2001, she starred on the wing for England in their opening match victory over Wales in the Five Nations Championship.[2] She was named England player of the year by the RFU at their awards ceremony at Twickenham in 2002.[3]

In the 2004 Six Nations Championship, she scored a hat-trick in her 51st test appearance for England against Ireland at Twickenham.[4] She also crossed the try-line in her sides 53–3 thrashing of Wales at The Stoop.[5]

Crawford noted a try in their opening match against Wales at the 2006 Six Nations Championship.[6] She later recorded a hat-trick in her sides 86–3 victory against Spain in Madrid.[7] She represented England at the 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup.[8][9] She ran in two tries against South Africa in their pool game at the 2006 Rugby World Cup.[10]

Crawford retired from international rugby after 65 appearances and the 2006 World Cup.[11] She also became the first women's player to score 60 international tries.[1][12]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Fabulous Fifty – Nicky Crawford". www.englandrugby.com. 2021-11-20. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  2. ^ "Crawford's ready for a game against Spain". Worcester News. 2001-02-14. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  3. ^ "15/10/02 - Nicky named top player". Worcester News. 2005-01-21. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  4. ^ "Nicky reaches 50". Worcester News. 2004-03-17. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  5. ^ "England Women Too Tough For Wales". Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions. 2004-03-23. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  6. ^ "England Women defeat Wales". ESPN scrum. 2006-02-05. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  7. ^ "Try-fest for Worcester women". www.bbc.co.uk. 2006-02-16. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  8. ^ "Female rugby star gets World Cup call". kentonline.co.uk. 6 July 2006. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  9. ^ "England squad named for Women's RWC Final". ESPN. 2006-09-16. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  10. ^ "England Women 74-8 South Africa". BBC Sport. 2006-09-05. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  11. ^ Guest, Tom (21 November 2006). "City club duo hang up their England boots". Worcester News. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  12. ^ "Former England captain awarded MBE". www.englandrugby.com. 2020-10-10. Retrieved 2024-06-10.